One day after Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was demoted from starter to third string, Cleveland’s head coach Mike Pettine characterized the reasoning behind the move as a violation of “trust”.
“We told him yesterday, this isn’t a dead end. This is a hurdle,” Pettine said on Wednesday. “This is an obstacle, so part of success in athletics is dealing with adversity and this will be an example of it.”
On Monday, TMZ published video of Manziel with a bottle of champagne in his hand last weekend during Cleveland’s bye week, six days after he’d been named the starter. Before Manziel had left the team, Pettine had told the 22-year-old quarterback he’d need to act responsibly.
“I’m disappointed, but not ready to give up,” he said. “This is a heavy dose of adversity. We’ll see how he handles it.”
Manziel entered rehab earlier this year for an unspecified problem and was also pulled over by police after arguing with his girlfriend last month.
Pettine, who said the Browns did not consider cutting the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, said he’d made the move after consulting with the team owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer.
“The position of quarterback is always going to be held to a higher standard than any other position on the team. That’s the reality,” Pettine said. “It’s not just about talent. It’s not just about what you do on the field. To be successful at the position requires a great understanding of what’s involved in the non-physical aspects, the leadership, the trust, the accountability, responsibility, the diligence. You have to take the mentality that no one is going to outwork you.
“That has to be understood when you play the position at this level. And when you have a great opportunity in front of you, it’s important that you demonstrate that you can handle the responsibility that comes with it.”
