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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #JohnnyManziel Says He Attempted #Suicide After Browns Cut Him In 2016: Reports
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By Scott Thompson
#JohnnyManziel revealed in a new documentary he attempted #suicide after the Cleveland Browns cut him in 2016.
“Untold: Johnny Football,” scheduled to release Tuesday, is the latest of the Netflix series that gives an inside look at one of the top football stars of the 21st century who ultimately flamed out of the NFL despite winning the 2012 #HeismanTrophy at Texas A&M.
His lack of success in the league, mixed with #substanceabuseissues and a #bipolardisorder diagnosis, left Manziel seeing no way out.
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback #JohnnyManziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field, after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on December 27, 2015 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
“I had planned to do everything I wanted to do at that point in my life, spend as much money as I possibly could and then my plan was to take my life,” Manziel explained in the documentary, per multiple reports.
In the documentary, Manziel said that following the 2015 NFL season, his second in the league during which he went 2-4 as a starter with Cleveland, he began using #OxyContin and #cocaine on a daily basis, per multiple reports.
He was 215 pounds in January of that year, and by the time September rolled around, he had dropped to 175 pounds.
More off-the-field problems came in January 2016, when his girlfriend accused him of hitting and threatening her, which led to a misdemeanor assault charge.
Though lawyers reached an agreement with officials to get the charge dropped under conditions, the Browns, after using their first-round pick on him during the 2014 NFL Draft, cut him before the start of his third NFL season.
Manziel was later diagnosed with #bipolardisorder that year, he said in the documentary, according to multiple reports. However, he refused to go to rehab, and his #substanceabuse issues got worse.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
The quarterback said he went on a “$5 million bender” before ultimately trying to take his own life.
“I wanted to get as bad as humanly possible to where it made sense, and it made it seem like an excuse and an out for me.” Manziel bought a gun prior to his “bender” to ultimately carry out his #suicideattempt. But it didn’t work.
“Still, to this day, don’t know what happened. But the gun just clicked on me,” Manziel said in the documentary, per reports.
The #suicideattempt gave Manziel a new perspective on life. Despite a broken family relationship because he refused to get treatment, Manziel returned home to Texas, where he began his recovery.
“It’s been a long, long road, and I don’t know if it’s been great or it’s been bad — that’s kind of still up for debate,” Paul Manziel, his father, said in the documentary, per reports. “But we’re blessed. And he’s still with us. And we can mend all the fences still.
“I think Johnny’s got a lot better days coming than what he’s had.”
COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 14: #JohnnyManziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kyle Field on September 14, 2013 in College Station, Texas.
He was a dual threat quarterback who shocked the world when he led the Aggies into Tuscaloosa to face the Alabama Crimson Tide and blew up their highly-ranked defense in one of the most hostile college football environments in the country. Texas A&M won 29-24 that night, and Manziel threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 92 yards to beat the No. 1-ranked team.
But Manziel admitted his popularity, which seemed to come immediately during that Heisman Trophy season, was hard to handle.
And though it was known Manziel dealt with demons off the field, few knew until now just how low things got for him.
If you are having thoughts of #suicide, call or text #988 to reach the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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