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Johnny Manziel’s recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast was full of bombshell revelations, such as the fact that LeBron James tried to help Manziel out of a depression that eventually led to suicidal thoughts.
Last year, in the Untold: Johnny Football documentary released by Netflix, Manziel revealed that his depression led him to consider suicide, so much so that he even bought a gun.
Speaking to Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Manziel said that LeBron was trying to take him under his wing at the time of his depression by inviting him to hang out, but Manziel largely rejected his efforts due to his mental state.
“I remember, this is how bad off I was whenever I was in Cleveland, LeBron would text me every week to come over to the house and watch a game or play poker with the boys and just tried to be there,” Manziel said during his recent appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast. “I was so depressed for the first time in my life that even my biggest role model and inspiration in my life couldn’t get me out of bed to come and hang out with him.”
Manziel then expressed regret about maintaining a relationship with LeBron and “latch onto him” in that way that he now believes he should have.
“When I went to the Cavs games, I went. I was in, I was out. I didn’t really grasp and latch on to him in a way that I should have. And he tries to take me under his wing, and I’m just kind of nudging it away because of where my mental is and being just fully depressed, and where I was in my life. Is that an excuse? Absolutely not, because at the end of the day, the respect that I should have for them, giving me everything, should trump all else.”
"LeBron James would text me every week to come over and watch a game or play poker with the boys… I was so depressed that even the biggest role model in my life couldn't get me out of bed to hang out with him."
— Johnny Manziel
(via @ClubShayShay)pic.twitter.com/i7LqlFtdpg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 21, 2024
Luckily, these days, Manziel is doing better.
If you or someone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, you can dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline, according to their website, provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.