Johnny Manziel Gives Advice About Bipolar Disorder, Depression in TMZ Exclusive

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel made headlines when he told Good Morning America on Monday he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and he offered support for others in a similar position during an interview with TMZ Sports on Sunday.

Manziel said he once "felt like the end of the world was near and that I would never make it out" but is in a position now where he feels "blessed to be able to have fought through the bad times."

"As dark as it gets, eventually times will get better," he directed to others with bipolar disorder.

Catherine Thorbecke and Courtney Condron of ABC News shared some of Manziel's comments he made on GMA, noting he entered a rehabilitation center in 2015.

"I was self-medicating with alcohol. That's what I thought would make me happy and get out of that depression," Manziel said. "When I would wake up the next day after a night like that, going on a trip like that, and you wake up the next day and that is all gone, that liquid courage, or that liquid...sense of euphoria that is over you, is all gone."

He continued, "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 became a household name during his collegiate career at Texas A&M. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2014, but the team released him after less than two years.

He finished his Browns tenure with seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions in 14 games and was also suspended four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

There was also a domestic violence case against him, but charges were dropped as he agreed to complete an anger management course.

Manziel is now focused on a comeback attempt as he strives to get back into professional football. He accepted a Spring League invitation to get back on the field.