Ryan Leaf Says Watching Johnny Manziel Is Like 'Holding Up A Mirror'

Ryan Leaf is arguably the most qualified person on the planet to speak about the self-destruction of a professional sports career and he believes Johnny Manziel is in serious trouble.

Leaf went on “Fox and Friends” Monday and claimed that watching Manziel’s life and career fall apart is “sometimes like holding up a mirror.”

While discussing Manziel’s very public self-destruction, Leaf gave insight into what he thought was happening with the 23-year-old:

"“This happens to anybody who’s addicted to anything. It’s about substance abuse, it’s about whatever you use as a maladaptive behavior…it helps them nub whatever they’re feeling. And I can totally relate to what he’s going through.”"

Leaf’s own struggles with substance abuse have been well-documented bu tit finally appears like he has turned his life around. He will turn 40 later this month, and since his release from a Montana prison on December 3, 2014 has stayed out of trouble.

He has been asked about Manziel before and Leaf claims the only difference between the two of them is that his substance-abuse problems came after he retired.

That said, the personalities of the two men are so similar that it really feels like history repeating itself. Leaf was the know-it-all, stud quarterback, anointed savior of a franchise in dire need of help, just like Manziel. Both guys refused the help and advice of veteran teammates and allowed their immaturity to show as soon as they reached the NFL.

While Leaf has been through a lot and his battle with addiction will never be over, it’s great to see that he is in a better place now. That should give us hope that maybe Manziel can find some kind of help to turn his life around before it’s too late.