Mike Pettine: I told Johnny Manziel to have fun in Las Vegas

It’s pretty ridiculous that Johnny Manziel going to Las Vegas to have some fun over Memorial Day weekend became a national story, but that’s the way things go these days.

While some people may have a problem with Manziel not burying his nose in his playbook at all moments of the day, his coach with the Cleveland Browns doesn’t seem to mind. Or at least that’s what he’s saying publicly.

“We have a saying in the NFL: as long as it doesn’t affect your job,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said on Wednesday. “[Manziel is] a guy that was very proactive. He let us know that he was going and my advice to him was ‘have fun.’ He’s a young guy and he’s done everything that we’ve asked. The playbook has not been an issue for him.

“I know a big deal has been made, but internally, we have an expectation for all of our players outside of the building to act a certain way and it’s really not an issue. Just like anybody else, he’s a man, and we’re going to treat our guys like that until they prove that they need to be treated otherwise.”

There are countless other professional athletes who have gone out to have fun over holiday weekends especially when their season is several months away. This really shouldn’t be a problem for people. And it’s also important to have balance especially if you spend a lot of time training and working hard. Heck, even Nick Saban has fun over the holiday weekend! If that grinder can spare a few minutes for a jet ski, then Manziel can definitely go to Vegas for fun.

Photo: Instagram/Johnny Manziel