National Football League roundup

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[April 18, 2015]  April 17 (The Sports Xchange) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel issued a statement Friday, apologizing to the organization and fans, after spending 10 weeks at a rehab treatment facility.

"I would like to thank my family, friends, the Browns organization, my teammates, and Browns fans everywhere, for your patience, understanding, and support during my stay," Manziel said. "The doctors and staff have been amazing and what I've learned in the last couple of months has been tremendous. I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down.

"I look forward to seeing my teammates next week and focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be."

Manziel entered the treatment facility on Jan. 28. The Browns and others had become increasingly concerned about his partying and apparent denial. He was released last Saturday.

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The New England Patriots were aware that convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez had issues at the University of Florida, according to former NFL general manager Floyd Reese.

Reese, who worked for the Patriots when they drafted Hernandez in 2010, told TheMMQB.com, "We all knew about it. It was just from our standpoint, we were getting a first-round talent in the fourth round under a contract that was going to keep him in line or it wasn't going to cost us a penny."

Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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Nike has signed Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota to endorsement contracts.

Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but the world's largest shoe and apparel company confirmed to ESPN.com that it signed Winston. ESPN sources said Nike also has signed Mariota, Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.

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New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis plans to join his former New England Patriots teammates next Thursday for the traditional Super Bowl celebration at the White House.

Revis' departure from the Patriots after the season is still being investigated by the NFL after tampering charges were filed by both teams.

Revis agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Jets.

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The Dallas police have suspended an investigation into an alleged aggravated assault involving Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib.

Talib and his older brother, Yaqub, were never arrested or charged in connection with the incident, which allegedly happened in the early hours on April 8 outside a nightclub in Dallas.

According to WFAA-TV in Dallas, the brothers were involved in "a physical altercation" with at least one person at Club Luxx, and a gun was fired in the club.

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Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall underwent foot surgery last month but is expected to be ready for training camp in July, according to a report by CBS4 in Denver on Friday.

Marshall started 13 games last season but missed time late in the year with a sprained foot.

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The Baltimore Ravens re-signed four exclusive-rights free agents, retaining tight end Phillip Supernaw, safety Brynden Trawick, cornerback Rashaan Melvin and offensive lineman Ryan Jensen.

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The Detroit Lions named Allison Maki as senior vice president of administration and chief financial officer and Luis Perez as senior vice president of business development and strategy.

Maki will be one of eight female chief financial officers in the NFL. (Editing by Gene Cherry)

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