In the Netflix documentary about former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, a lot of background comes up about the failure of the first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Even before Johnny Manziel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, it was clear that his lifestyle could very well be his downfall at some point. Too often, Manziel could not do without debauched parties and the corresponding stimulants.

His NFL career took a similar course: partly as a result of various escapades, he was released by the Browns after only two seasons. The 30-year-old was unable to gain a foothold in the NFL. The new Netflix documentary about the quarterback now shows just how critical Manziel’s condition was.

NFL: Drug test at Combine a danger

The Texan’s former agent, Erik Burkhardt, had Manziel drug tested every week before the Combine, well aware of his former protege’s weaknesses. Until the week before the Combine, Manziel remained clean.

A few days before the Combine, however, Burkhardt allegedly received a phone call in which Manziel explained that he had screwed up and would probably not pass the drug test at the Combine.

His agent therefore considered having Manziel’s father fake a heart attack so that his protégé would be allowed to leave the Combine early. The whole thing was scrapped, however, because Manziel had already had experience since college of passing drug tests anyway. Often, a backup quarterback for Manziel is also believed to have passed urine, Burkhardt revealed.

Despite his chance at a great NFL career, Manziel never managed to get his partying habits under control. The full extent of this becomes clear in the Netflix documentary at the latest and also shows how promising athletes can ruin their careers.

After his NFL time, “Johnny Football” tried out in smaller leagues such as the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Alliance of American Football (AAF). Since 2021 he has been active in the Fan Controlled Football League.