Johnny Manziel tells concerned judge his ‘life is trending upward’

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, center, takes an elevator with his lawyer Jim Darnell, left, after a court hearing in Dallas, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. A Dallas County judge ordered Manziel to be at the hearing to address concerned about reports that he has violated terms of a plea agreement for a domestic violence case. (LM Otero/AP)

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, right, walks with his lawyer Jim Darnell after a court hearing in Dallas, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. A Dallas County judge ordered Manziel to be at the hearing to address concerns about reports that he has violated terms of a plea agreement for a domestic violence case. (LM Otero/AP)

DALLAS — Johnny Manziel is trying to reassure a judge concerned that the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback isn’t being serious about the conditions of getting his domestic violence case dismissed, saying his “life is trending upward” and that he is “taking care of this.”

Dallas judge Roberto Canas called the hearing Tuesday because Manziel missed a deadline to provide the court an update on how the former Cleveland player was meeting stipulations that include him participating in a substance-abuse program through the NFL or something similar.

Manziel responded that he was slow to meet the condition because he didn’t trust the NFL and planned to work through the players’ association.

The 24-year-old Manziel faced a misdemeanor charge that carried a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine after he was accused of hitting and threatening former girlfriend Colleen Crowley during a night out in January 2016.