Ex-NFLer Johnny Manziel Discusses Bipolar Disorder, Comeback The free agent quarterback talked about his struggles off-the-field in a humanizing segment on Good Morning, America. I am taking medication for bipolar, and I am working to try to make sure I don't fall back into any type of depression... ...because I know where that leads me and I know how slippery a slope that is for me Manziel, 25, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about a year ago. He was released by the Cleveland Browns in March 2016 after a disastrous tenure with the team who drafted him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Here's the way I look at it -- going back the last couple years of my life, I was self-medicating with alcohol. Now, Manziel is sober and is doing all he can to try and convince the NFL that he's a changed person. I am coming back from a huge downfall. I don't know what kind of comeback it will be, but I know I want to get back on a football field, to what brought me so much joy in my life."