Johnny Manziel discusses past gambling struggles, addiction
Published:
Aug 26, 2025
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10:21 a.m.
ET
Across the United States, professional and college athletes are navigating an environment where gambling has become more accessible and tempting than ever before. Gambling can turn into a destructive habit that jeopardizes careers, finances and health.
Few people’s stories illuminate this better than Johnny Manziel’s. The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback has been candid about his struggles with addiction. Most recently, he revealed on the Glory Daze podcast the extent of his gambling during and after his time with the Cleveland Browns, shedding light on how quickly betting can spiral out of control.
Manziel’s openness provides an opportunity to examine his personal experiences and the broader risks athletes face, the regulations that attempt to protect them and the treatment options available for those struggling with gambling addiction.
Manziel opens up about issues with gambling
While his other struggles have long been documented, Johnny Manziel’s most recent admissions shed light on another powerful addiction: gambling.
Manziel described how, during his early years in Cleveland, he became “addicted to the NBA.” He recalled rushing home from practice just to bet on nightly games.
“I was f—ing ripping NBA games every single day,” he said, describing the era when LeBron James returned to Cleveland, Carmelo Anthony was still thriving and Kobe Bryant remained a dominant force. “Tapped into it, I loved it, bro, and was on like a crazy ride of it.”
The gambling wasn’t limited to basketball. After being cut from the Browns, Manziel learned about casino credit and began withdrawing huge sums to chase losses. “By the end of a weekend… you just fly through $100K like no problem,” he said. At one point, he recalled getting a 24-hour warning that failure to pay back a marker could trigger felony charges.
His story underscores how quickly recreational betting can spiral into a serious problem, especially when combined with access, money and impaired judgment.
Manziel’s other addiction struggles
Gambling was only one piece of the larger picture. Manziel has spoken extensively about his drinking, partying and lack of focus during his NFL career. He has acknowledged that these behaviors contributed to his downfall as a professional quarterback.
Like many with co-occurring addictions, his gambling intertwined with alcohol and lifestyle choices. Casino weekends often paired heavy drinking with reckless spending. Manziel revealed that he had escalated to using OxyContin and cocaine on a daily basis during his turbulent time with the Browns. He disclosed on Club Shay Shay podcast with Shannon Sharpe that his cocaine dependence led him to drop from about 210 pounds to 170 pounds, losing 40 pounds “on a strict diet of blow.”
Research shows that substance use and gambling problems frequently co-occur, reinforcing destructive cycles that are hard to break without intervention.
Gambling Addiction among athletes
Manziel’s story is not isolated. Emerging research suggests that athletes are particularly vulnerable to gambling addiction.
A review led by Rutgers University’s Center for Gambling Studies found that in 78.9% of studies, athletes gambled more often than non-athletes. In 75% of studies, athletes were more likely to bet specifically on sports. Rates of problem gambling among athletes were estimated at 12.2%, with some samples showing rates as high as 28.7%, which far exceeds the 1-3% seen in the general U.S. adult population.
Unique pressures athletes face can be attributed to creating this disparity:
Competitiveness and risk-taking: traits that serve athletes on the field but fuel gambling off it.
Expertise illusions: false belief that knowledge of the sport improves betting outcomes.
Downtime and travel: long periods away from structured training leave room for gambling.
Cultural normalization: locker-room betting pools, fantasy leagues or family role models.
The result is an environment where gambling feels acceptable and even expected.
NFL and NCAA rules around gambling
Both college and professional sports bodies have attempted to draw strict lines around gambling.
The NCAA prohibits athletes, coaches and staff from betting on any NCAA-sponsored sport, whether college or professional. This includes wagering on games in any form, participating in pools or fantasy contests with prizes or sharing insider information that could affect betting markets.
Violations can result in suspensions or loss of eligibility, even in states where sports betting is legal. There are no restrictions on casino gambling for NCAA student-athletes who are of age and in a legal state.
The NFL allows players to bet on non-NFL sports but forbids betting on NFL games or engaging in daily fantasy sports contests with cash prizes. Non-player personnel, including coaches and staff, face an even stricter ban on all sports betting.
Still, enforcement challenges remain. The growth of mobile betting platforms and the blurred line between legal wagers and informal pools make it easy for athletes to slip into risky patterns, sometimes without fully realizing they are breaking rules.
Treatment for Gambling Addiction in the United States
Gambling addiction, like substance use disorder, is a real diagnosable condition that requires treatment. For athletes, the stigma of seeking help can make it even harder to reach out.
Organizations like Birches Health aim to reduce barriers by offering confidential, discreet, evidence-based virtual care tailored to the pressures athletes face.
If you, a teammate, or someone you care about may be struggling with gambling, help is available:
Book an appointment with Birches Health
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
