COLUMBUS – Johnny Manziel’s father says he fears for the quarterback’s safety.
Paul Manziel’s statement comes amid reports that the troubled Browns quarterback is under investigation by Dallas police, that his ex-girlfriend has gotten a protection order against him, that he has been dropped by his agent and will be released by the team.
The troubled quarterback was under investigation by two police departments following allegations that he hit his former girlfriend last weekend in Texas.
His father, Paul Manziel, told The Dallas Morning News that he worried that without help, his son “won’t live to see his 24th birthday.”
He said the family has made two unsuccessful attempts in the past week to get the player into a rehab clinic.
Johnny Manziel entered the NFL with a party-boy reputation.
The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner spent 73 days last winter in a Pennsylvania treatment center specializing in care for alcohol and drug dependency.
Manziel will be released by the Browns next month after two tumultuous seasons.
Team owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters yesterday in San Francisco ahead of the Super Bowl that the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t responded to multiple attempts to reach him.
Haslam says, “We’ll do anything we can to help him personally and our thoughts and prayers are with Johnny and his family.”
He continued: “We’re not worried about Johnny Manziel the football player, we’re worried about Johnny Manziel the person, and I think that’s all we need to say on the issue.”
A day after saying their investigation was closed, Dallas police said in a statement last night that they received a complaint of a domestic violence assault that occurred Saturday. The statement listed Manziel as the suspect and said detectives would investigate and determine whether criminal charges were warranted.
Colleen Crowley told Fort Worth police that Manziel was “aggressive” toward her after they were out with friends last weekend in Dallas. She said he struck her, including once in the left ear, before they drove back to Fort Worth and he was physical with her during the ride. Crowley said she later fled her apartment and ran to a neighbor’s for help.
Crowley has also gotten a protective order against the quarterback.
According to the order first obtained by television station WFAA, Manziel cannot see Colleen Crowley for two years, must stay at least 500 feet from Crowley’s home and place of work, and owes $12,000 in legal fees.
Agent Erik Burkhardt released a statement to media outlets yesterday saying “with deep regret” he has ended the business relationship with the 23-year-old quarterback.