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Scott Eklund

Johnny Manziel hit with 4-game ban for substance abuse

The 23-year-old is among only a handful of first-round NFL Draft selections to be cut two years into his rookie contract.

FREE AGENT QUARTERBACK Johnny Manziel has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to TMZ and a posting on the NFL’s website.

Manziel was released by the Cleveland Browns in March after going 2-6 in his eight NFL starts and the four-game ban would be served when he returns to the league, if ever.

The 23-year-old is among only a handful of first-round NFL Draft selections to be cut two years into his rookie contract and could face potenially more roadblocks to an NFL comeback.

Manziel would also face a review under the NFL’s personal conduct policy after facing misdemeanor assault charges from his former girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, who accused him of domestic violence during a January incident in Texas, saying he hit her and threatened to kill her.

Manziel is pleading innocent but if a league review finds he committed a violation of the league’s domestic abuse policy, he faces a six-game ban on top of the four-game suspension for the substance abuse violation.

Manziel told TMZ he plans to become “completely sober” starting Friday.

The NFL has also imposed a one-game ban against New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson for a violation of the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. He will miss the Jets’ regular-season opener in September against Cincinnati.

Richardson pleaded guilty to resisting arrest in January stemming from his arrest for driving 143 mph while evading police with a 12-year-old in the car. He was not charged with child endangerment or a drug offense despite the police report indicating officers caught the aroma of marijuana while making the arrest.

© AFP 2016 

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