Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel vows not to be an 'embarrassment' to Browns

Published Nov. 17, 2015 3:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Jason Rowan

The Cleveland Browns (2-8) announced on Tuesday that Johnny Manziel would be the team’s starting quarterback for the balance of the 2015 NFL season, meaning the second-year signal-caller will at last be given an opportunity to prove he was deserving of a first-round selection. And in return, he vowed not to do anything to bring shame to the Browns organization.

Manziel told the media that he made it clear to Browns head coach Mike Pettine that he intends to not be a distraction, beginning with he he intends to conduct himself during the team’s bye this week.

“I let him know that I’m not going to do anything that’s going to be a distraction to this team or be an embarrassment to the organization,” he said, via Northeast Ohio Media Group’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I’m going to get a chance to go and relax like everybody else in this locker room is. I don’t think they’re going to have to worry about me this week.”

Manziel drew attention to himself due to a much ballyhooed weekend visit back to Texas A&M a few weeks ago after the Browns played a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a controversy the quarterback deemed as much ado about nothing.

He also remains under investigation by the NFL over a roadside incident involving girlfriend Colleen Crowley. Manziel was interviewed by the league several weeks ago, but indicated he’s not aware when a decision will be made but added he doesn’t anticipate he’ll be disciplined.

Manziel added he plans to keep his bye week activities low-key and understands why he’s so heavily scrutinized given his past, saying, “It’s been pretty constant fire since the day I got here.”

It’s clear the Browns are giving Manziel a real shot to prove he’s deserving of the label “franchise quarterback.” Unfortunately, he has proved at times to be a distraction for the team. Perhaps how he conducts himself off the field in the coming weeks will go along way in determining his future with the Browns -- and possibly even in the NFL -- more than his play on it.

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