Jackson: Browns want to help Manziel

By MARY KAY CABOT

The Plain Dealer

SAN FRANCISCO

Browns coach Hue Jackson expressed concern not only about Johnny Manziel but about his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley Saturday night after the NFL Honors show at the Super Bowl.

“Obviously there was more information that came out during the week and when I think about those things, first and foremost to the young lady, I hope that’s she getting the help the that she needs to move beyond this situation,’’ Jackson told cleveland.com. “And then No. 2, I don’t know Johnny. I’ve never talked to Johnny. But I don’t want to see any young man’s life be at risk in any situation.

“I know our organization well enough that the powers that be would reach out and create any environment that could help, because we’re not about hurting people. We’re about saving people. I know that without question.’’

Jackson, who had a whirlwind week at the Super Bowl filled with media appearances and events, echoed Browns owner Jimmy Haslam’s sentiments that the Browns are concerned only with Manziel’s well being.

Manziel is currently under investigation by Dallas police for domestic violence against Crowley. His father, Paul, told the Dallas Morning News Thursday that he fears his son is suicidal, saying “I truly believe if they can’t get him help, he won’t live to see his 24th birthday.”

The remarks had the Browns on high alert throughout the week.

“I think Jimmy said it best -- this is not about Johnny the football player,’’ said Jackson. “This is about Johnny the man -- the young man. And I would feel that way about any young player across the National Football League because we all understand the trials and tribulations that men go through and sometimes you feel like you’re isolated and alone.

“What I would say to any young player, not just Johnny but any player who’s going through a lot of different things: You’re not alone. There’s help available and people are willing to help but sometimes you have to reach a desire to accept the help as you move forward in your life. But again, it’s not about football. It’s about a young man’s life.”

Jackson, stressed, however, that his primary job is to focus on the Browns, saying the right people in the organization have reached out and are in contact with Manziel’s family. The Browns will waive Manziel March 9 when the new league opens, a source told cleveland.com, but at this point they’re still trying to help him.

“That situation (with Manziel) is going to take it course,’’ Jackson said. “My goal and my job is to really focus on coaching our Cleveland Browns and to help our team improve and win. And that’s all I’m really concerned about at this point.’’

Haslam told cleveland.com Thursday that the club has reached out to Manziel several times since Jan. 31, when the argument with Crowley first took place in Texas.

“We’ll do anything we can to help, but he’s got to call us back and work with us,’’ Haslam said. “We’re trying to help one of our team members and we would do the same thing for someone in accounting or sales as we would for a quarterback who’s well-known. We’ve reached out to him several times since Saturday when this all came out and he hasn’t responded. The thing is, we want him to get well.” Sources told News 8 in Dallas that Manziel threatened to kill Crowley and himself during their argument, but Manziel later denied that to TMZ Sports, saying “I’m completely stable. I’m safe and secure.”

Manziel has been ordered by a judge in Texas to stay away from Crowley for two years, stating that “there is reason to believe that family violence occurred.’’

Manziel’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, also dropped him Thursday, indicating that Manziel refused to get help.

“His family and I have gone to great lengths to outline the steps we feel he must take to get his life in order,’’ he said in a statement. “Accountability is the foundation of any relationship, and without it, the function of my work is counterproductive.”

Paul Manziel also told the Dallas Morning News that his son twice refused attempts over the past week to get him into rehab.