Ryan Leaf blasts Netflix over Johnny Manziel documentary

Famous NFL Draft bust Ryan Leaf blasted Netflix over how revelations shared by former quarterback Johnny Manziel were addressed in the "Untold: Johnny Football" documentary released this week. 

"Netflix, that director, the producers on it, they did exactly what everybody has done for so long around mental illness and substance abuse – they stigmatized it and continued to do it," Leaf explained during a recent appearance on Outkick’s "Hot Mic with Hutton and Withrow" program, per Matt Ehalt of the New York Post. "They talked about it like (a) snippet and then just did not address it again the rest of the way. It was just so awkward to me." 

Manziel, a 2014 first-round draft pick, said during the documentary that he attempted suicide after the Cleveland Browns cut him in March 2016. He also opened up about the mental health struggles he faced before, during and after his NFL career that lasted just two seasons. 

Manziel noted back in 2018 he suffers from bipolar disorder, and Jenna Laine of ESPN mentioned how the former "Johnny Football" self-medicated via substance abuse to cope with that condition. 

"Once again, people have taken advantage of Johnny Manziel," Leaf continued. "There were no solutions, no addressing of bipolar diagnosis and how he’s dealing with it and how he’s living with it, around his substance abuse." 

Edward Sutelan of Sporting News pointed out that Leaf, an NFL flameout similar to Manziel, has publicly discussed his off-the-field legal issues linked to drug addictions and mental health battles. Leaf doesn't personally know Manziel but believes the Heisman Trophy winner could serve as an inspiration to others if the 30-year-old is all-in on embracing that type of responsibility. 

"...He can be that for people dealing with mental illness, people dealing with substance abuse, who have fallen to the very bottom and gotten back up and made something of their lives...and maybe he’s just not there yet," Leaf added about Manziel.

It's unknown if Manziel will offer a response to Leaf's comments and apparent call to action.