Johnny Manziel – still a Browns quarterback for the time being at least — has reached a seminal moment not just in his football career, but so much importantly, also in his life.
And if he doesn’t realize it and begin making the right choices, then he’s going to be in serious trouble both on and off the field.
Manziel has heretofore resisted advice from anyone, especially NFL coaches, on how to behave – how to conduct himself, carry himself, present himself and prepare himself. The way he sees it, those are just old people, and old people don’t have anything he needs to hear. They period of relevancy has come and gone.
Indeed, Johnny Football is too cool for them, too cool for that, too cool for school.
But is he cool enough for the coolest guy out there?
Apparently not anymore, for Lebron James – hardly an old person but rather a contemporary – has ordered his marketing group to cut ties with Manziel.
Manziel thought it was really something to not only be buddies with LeBron, but also to have a professional relationship with him. But Lebron doesn’t want anything to do with Manziel now. Being linked to Manziel and all the ill-advised off-the-field stuff he’s doing, is a bad look from a public relations standpoint for LeBron. It’s bad for business, and LeBron is an astute businessman who goes all out to protect his image and his brand.
The only people Manziel has left in his inner circle now are a bunch of hangers-on who have no direction or discipline in their lives, either. They all have a lot in common.
Will being dumped by LeBron do what it should do, and that is to make Manziel realize that he has hit rock bottom and is on a journey that, unfortunately, will not end well? Or will his pride keep him from admitting he has issues and needs to change?
Is this doesn’t do it, then what will?
Whether Manziel stays with the Browns or even in the NFL is immaterial right now. It means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.
What is important is what Manziel becomes once all the football goes away, and it eventually goes away for every player.
Why? Because when you’re too old, your relevancy has come and gone and no team wants you.
