Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty ImagesLess than three months after Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel checked into rehab, the famous athlete is now ready to apologize for his actions.
"I would like to thank my family, friends, the Browns organization, my teammates and Browns fans everywhere for your patience, understanding and support during my stay at Caron," the NFL star said in a statement on Friday. "The doctors and staff have been amazing and what I've learned in the last couple of months has been tremendous. I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down. I take full responsibility for my actions and it's my intention to work very hard to regain everyone's trust and respect. I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say."
Manziel check into rehab in early February, just over a month after he publically declared his commitment to the Browns amid rumors of his tardiness at team treatment sessions and practices during the NFL season.
"Johnny knows there are areas he needs to improve on to help him be a better family member, friend and teammate, so he decided to take this step in his life during the offseason," Manziel's friend and advisor, Brad Beckworth, said in a statement at the time. "On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."
While it has not been revealed what, specifically, the 22-year-old athlete entered treatment for, Manziel acknowledged the public's curiosity in his statement, but also asked for privacy.
"I also understand there's a lot of curiosity about this but anyone who has a friend or family member that's been through things like this knows it's an ongoing process," Manziel continued. "I'm going to continue to ask folks to try to respect my privacy as I determine to what degree I am comfortable talking about a subject which I consider very personal. Most of you have been considerate about that and I thank you for it. I look forward to seeing my teammates next week and focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be."