Part 3/8:
A New Life in the NFL: Crumbling Under Pressure
Transitioning into professional football with the Cleveland Browns proved to be a stark contrast to his celebrated college days. The bright lights of the NFL brought high expectations, but also a harsh reality. His lack of preparation and the dramatic shift in environment left Manziel feeling incompetent and lacking confidence. Quitting the comfort of his Texas hometown for Ohio while grappling with newfound fame, he struggled to embody the professional athlete he was expected to be.
As he describes, “there was no confidence... I became a bad teammate.” Here, he acknowledges that despite his talent, his inability to adapt and prioritize led to missed opportunities.