Manziel ticketed in Ohio day of alleged Vegas escapade
Johnny Manziel's troubles keep piling up.
The embattled Browns quarterback was cited for driving with expired license plates last weekend, when he failed to report to the team's facility for a medical assessment and was seen having some fun in Las Vegas.
According to police in North Olmsted, Ohio, Manziel was stopped at 8:28 a.m. Saturday while driving on Interstate 480. Police gave him a traffic ticket for the expired plates, an offense that carries a $125 fine.
It's the latest issue with the 23-year-old, whose future in Cleveland is uncertain at best following a second straight problematic season.
Here is #JohnnyManziel traffic citation in North Olmsted, Ohio on Saturday morning Jan 2nd for expired plates. pic.twitter.com/nIW9fzNEfw
— Scott Taylor (@ScottTaylorTV) January 7, 2016
Manziel was in the NFL's concussion protocol last week after the team said he got hurt in a Dec. 27 game at Kansas City. He wasn't required to be at Cleveland's season finale Sunday because of the head injury, but owner Jimmy Haslam said Manziel failed to report to the team's facility for a required medical assessment.
For several hours Sunday, the Browns weren't certain of Manziel's whereabouts and couldn't confirm if he was in Vegas. He did return to Berea, Ohio, on Monday and was in attendance for team meetings when Haslam addressed the players following the firings of coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer. Manziel did not come into the locker room to speak with the media.
Haslam refused to comment on Manziel's outlook with the Browns, who selected him with a first-round draft pick in 2014 and have remained supportive of him during two turbulent seasons. Manziel spent 73 days in a rehab facility during the offseason for an unspecified condition.
North Olmsted right next 2 Airport but down the road is Browns HQ in Berea & players said Manziel was there. https://t.co/IeuBX3ORBS
— Scott Taylor (@ScottTaylorTV) January 7, 2016
The Browns have seemingly grown tired of Manziel's act.
During a news conference following Sunday's 28-12 loss to Pittsburgh, Haslam was short with his responses to questions about Manziel. Haslam said any decisions about his prospects will be handled by the next coaching staff, newly appointed executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and the new general manager.
Haslam did say Manziel would have to meet certain unspecified conditions to stay with the Browns.
"I think we will expect that of everybody," he said. "We certainly expect that of Johnny, too."
Adding to Manziel's issues, Cavaliers star LeBron James ended his business partnership with him Wednesday. James' marketing group, LRMR, had been handling endorsement opportunities for the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.