Former Cowboy defensive lineman Russell Maryland is one of the most respected men in football. That's why the Cleveland Browns hired him several years ago to work with the team's players on a personal level as they transition from college life.
During his time in Cleveland, Maryland worked with Johnny Manziel. The former Browns quarterback is no longer in the NFL, and many of Manziel's family and friends fear for his safety due to substance abuse.
Maryland, who no longer works for the Browns, still believes in Manziel.
"Anytime you have a great talent like that on the collegiate level with so much potential there's a slight disappointment. When I was there, I was pulling for him. I still pull for him to this day and I really think deep down that eventually he's going to come back," said Maryland.
"He's got some things he has to figure in his life. What's the most important thing to him? Is it football or is it the distractions? Once he can get the distractions out of the way, any NFL player has to get those distractions out of the way, and once he does that he'll be fine."
