Johnny Manziel's Downward Spiral: From NFL Draft Star to Struggling Addict

Former college football sensation Johnny Manziel candidly shares his harrowing experience battling depression and addiction, highlighting the treacherous path that can follow seemingly insurmountable success.

Johnny Manziel, once hailed as a rising star in the NFL, has emerged from a tumultuous tunnel of darkness to share his poignant tale of depression and addiction. The former Heisman Trophy winner recounted his unraveling in a poignant Q&A session with students and recovering addicts at the VitAL health conference in Alabama.

Manziel's journey took a dramatic turn after the 2014 NFL Draft, where he was celebrated as a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns. However, beneath the glittering facade of success lay a void that gnawed at him. "I had everything I could have ever wanted," Manziel confessed. "But I felt empty inside."

Johnny Manziel's Downward Spiral: From NFL Draft Star to Struggling Addict

That emptiness led Manziel down a path of self-sabotage and substance abuse. "I turned to the wrong things to cope," he said. "I started to drink and do drugs, thinking it would make me feel better."

His NFL career plummeted as addiction's grip tightened. Two seasons and a mere eight starts later, Manziel was cut by the Browns. Alcohol and drugs had derailed his once-promising future.

Johnny Manziel's Downward Spiral: From NFL Draft Star to Struggling Addict

Manziel's struggles with depression were compounded by the challenges he faced in football. "I was great at football," he said, "but I was also good at partying." As his football career faltered, he turned to the familiar vice of substance abuse.

Former Browns coach Mike Pettine admitted that the team failed to recognize the depth of Manziel's issues before drafting him. "We didn't anticipate his problems," Pettine confessed. "The extent of it was hidden from us."

Johnny Manziel's Downward Spiral: From NFL Draft Star to Struggling Addict

In 2015, Manziel reached a critical point, losing 40 pounds due to cocaine use. A year later, he told Good Morning America that he was going fully sober. Since then, he has committed to a healthier lifestyle, vowing to avoid alcohol and drugs.

"Alcohol and drugs were detrimental to my life," Manziel said. "I'm looking to live a healthier, more pure lifestyle."

Manziel's story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of success and the devastating impact of addiction. It highlights the importance of seeking help and finding support on the path to recovery. Today, Manziel is using his platform to raise awareness about mental health and addiction, offering hope to others who may be struggling.