Johnny Manziel is in the process of repairing his public image, and the Cleveland Browns quarterback has been calling on LeBron James’ most trusted confidant to help him achieve that goal.
Manziel has been spending a lot of time with Maverick Carter, LeBron’s longtime business partner and right-hand man, since he was released from rehab last month. Browns safety Donte Whitner spoke about the relationship between Manziel and Carter on Tuesday.
“He’s taken a big responsibility in making sure that Johnny’s doing all the right things,” Whitner told Mary Kay Cabot of Northeast Ohio Media Group. “(Manziel) has a mentor, somebody to talk to, certain things that he really didn’t have the ability (to do) or somebody to talk to before. It looks like it’s working out so far.”
Carter and James are co-founders of the LRMR marketing firm. Manziel signed with LRMR as soon as he decided he was leaving Texas A&M for the NFL, but he seems to be spending a lot more time with Carter as of late. The two have been spotted sitting courtside together at Cleveland Cavaliers games during the playoffs. Manziel has also spent time with LeBron.
“(Manziel) understands that you can’t be in Vegas or Miami or any of these other places, you have to be here,” Whitner added. “If you have to come in a day or two extra for an hour or two per day, that’s what quarterbacks do. And no matter if you like it, you have to be here.”
LeBron is arguably the biggest sports superstar in the world, and Carter has helped him maintain a clean image off the court. Manziel tried to use LeBron’s image strategy before his rookie season, but he kept making headlines for the wrong reasons and played poorly when called upon to start for the Browns.
Manziel took second-team reps behind veteran quarterback Josh McCown at the first day of organized team activities on Tuesday. If he can remain on a clean path with the help of Carter and not put himself in any compromising positions like this, there’s no reason we should write off Manziel just yet. He’s only 22.
