Johnny Manziel’s agent terminates relationship; family is concerned for his life
February 5, 2016Where the Browns stand: Tight Ends & Fullbacks
February 5, 2016The preponderance of circumstantial evidence against Johnny Manziel continues to accumulate even in the weeks after the expected tipping point in his relationship and employment with the Cleveland Browns. We are well past the time for wringing of hands and shouting of frustrations and keeping score about who saw what coming and when. It is the time for empathy and prayers and thoughts and care to go out to an incredibly flawed human being who, according to his now former agent, Erik Burkhardt, is in obvious need of such.
For a quick summary, here are the alleged incidents in which Manziel has been involved over the past several months listed in reverse chronological order:
- A police report filled with serious allegations of both physical and verbal domestic abuse towards his long-time girlfriend Colleen Crowley on January 30 2016 in Dallas-Fort Worth.
- A Vegas vacation during the Week 17 Pittsburgh Steelers game. Attendance for Manziel at the game was not mandatory, but a concussion protocol earlier in the day was.
- A video that seemed to be self-recorded over Christmas weekend where it appeared he was drinking.
- A video from Austin, Texas over the November Browns bye week of Manziel partying and drinking. Manziel was demoted from starter to third-string for the viral sensation.
- A road incident in October where Manziel and Crowley were driving home after having a few drinks. Two separate people called into the police for erratic driving on the roadways and a domestic argument.
Manziel had a tumultuous rookie season as well, but paired each incident with an expertly crafted statement to the media to give the perception he understood where he went wrong. He spent a large portion of his offseason in a rehabilitation center as fans hoped he was beginning the process of turning his life around. Those hopes were buoyed by reports from some of Manziel’s harshest critics on the team giving him credit for a renewed work ethic within the walls of the Berea offices.
However, with the ever-increasing litany of allegations, hope has all but evaporated for Manziel finding balance in his life while a member of the Browns. Even Manziel’s former perfectly worded apologies have vanished. In their place, lies and abject denials flow freely. Where the conclusion of Manziel’s rookie season emerged an apparently self-aware person dedicated to fixing his personal issues, the current version of Manziel that has materialized appears to be circling the drain of life on a constant downward spiral with each new event becoming worse than the last.
I do not know Johnny Manziel. I do not know Colleen Crowely. I am not a licensed or even unlicensed therapist or mental health professional. However, to me, those lies and denials represent a dangerous place for Manziel to be as he has lost even the semblance of self-realization and accountability.
Spinning the October incident as simply attempting to get his belligerent drunk girlfriend home worked mostly due to some goodwill built up from his stint in rehab and the constant praise for his work throughout the season.1 The lies about the Austin video, which were uncovered by Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, were not only irresponsible, but made Manziel come off as a high school kid trying to cover up sneaking out from his parents’ home. The entire Billy Vegas escapade is deflating at best with potentially false geo-tags, blonde wigs, and sunglasses. It has caused some to even question whether or not Manziel was even truly injured as the quarterback reportedly had no knowledge of his responsibilities following the claims of a concussion.
And now, with a police report filled with disturbing accounts of domestic abuse, drug use and alleged thoughts of suicide, Manziel’s retort to TMZ Sports was simply “It didn’t happen.” and “”I know I’ve been having fun but I just need to get my body right. I’m 100% committed to playing football.”
Those denials become even more damning when paired with statements from his agent about a lack of accountability for his actions. His father also confirmed the family had attempted to admit Johnny to a mental health center earlier in the week and told a police officer they believed Johnny to be suicidal. Johnny Manziel refused to accept assistance.
The most frustrating portion of everything Johnny Manziel is it didn’t need to be this way. He was born into an affluent family with a set of gifted athletic traits and a natural charisma. There is so much good Manziel could have given and still could give the world should he choose to go down such a path regardless of whether or not donning a football helmet remains in his future.
But, alas, the parable of the sower keeps coming to my mind from Matthew 13:3-8:2
“What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”
The meaning of the parable was meant to portray how people heard the Word of God, but it can be adapted to Manziel’s situation readily. Manziel is most like the seed scattered in the weeds. He has all that he needs to grow and have a fruitful life, but finds himself being strangled by the situations around him. In order to produce his harvest, he needs help from others to prune and pluck those weeds. But, before the gardening can be done, he must first realize and understand the weeds exist. He must ask for and accept help.
Manziel doesn’t need football, but, he’s about to find out football doesn’t need him either. I just pray Manziel is able to take a step back and find a way to fix his life before the weeds in his life choke him beyond return.
26 Comments
I think it’s been secondary for a while. It needs to become like quinary.
Pretty sure it’s been secondary to his lifestyle at least since he graduated, possibly earlier.
You’re assuming too much. The police report was of an intoxicated and nearly incoherent girl that led to a determination that no crime had taken place in their jurisdiction. The DPD did not substantiate hew allegations and close the case. That’s it. As for the other incidents you use as “evidence,” since when are athletes not allowed to attend private Christmas parties? The claim of Manziel being in Vegan the night before the Browns lost their final game was never substantiated and was based on claims by a radio personality who came up with the blonde wig story and a USA blogger who made the original report, which, incidentally, had him there with the girlfriend he had already broken up with. As far as his drinking, the girl told police he was not intoxicated. She said he was behaving like he was on drugs or having some kind of psychotic episode but remember this came from a girl who was intoxicated. The original police report says she told them her friends were with her at the hotel but in the affidavit that has been referenced, she indicated she went to his room after she left her friends. If that’s the case, he was more than likely angry that she showed up drunk. Hopefully, the DPD will release a report of their investigation now that they’ve closed the case.
I didn’t want us to get rid of Manziel because I didn’t want to see him succeed somewhere else. Now, Browns fandom aside, I would hope every other team in the league would make it known that he’s not wanted until he gets his life together. Alas, I know that’s not how front offices think. Talent/potential/profitability > players’ health.
I appreciate the benefit of the doubt as much as the next guy, but Manziel doesn’t get it any more.
Good lord. His own father said he won’t live another year if he doesn’t get help.
This is amazing. In light of the fact that his agent just dropped him citing his need to get help and his father telling Dallas news that he needs to get help, you are still holding the candle of “he’s just a kid being a kid”?
preponderance of circumstantial evidence
Its not just Mr. Bode here who’s saying this. IT’S EVERBODY IN HIS LIFE who is saying this dude. He’s freaking father is scared for his life. God the manziel apologists are so delusional.
hi SAM … you bring up some good points , but after he is photographed doing things , lying to pettine & getting benched , lebron drops him , his agent drops him & then you hear what his father says : this kid is in trouble & needs help & everyone seems to know it except him.
… and why did he even spend 2 months in rehab only to start whooping-it-up almost immediately ?
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Well written and wise words Mgbode.
thank you sir.
Those are all valid points, Sam. But . . .
“It is the time for empathy and prayers and thoughts and care to go out to an incredibly flawed human being”
We are all incredibly flawed human beings. My thoughts recently have centered around how I myself would handle the immense pressure of “success” at the age of 20, 21, 22. God only knows how I would have responded to being handed incredible wealth and notoriety at such a young age. Hell, I am quickly approaching 50 and question my definitions of success regularly.
The football discussions are over and done, and I’m glad he won’t be leading this team anywhere. But there is no solace in watching the real life Truman Show. This one won’t end happily 2 hours later.
Everyone is being way too polite. This is just completely delusional.
LeBron’s agency dropped him.
The Browns are cutting him.
His agent has dropped him, which never happens.
And his parents are pleading through the media for him to enter rehab.
When he ends up in jail or on a morgue slab, I’m sure it will all be a case just blown out of proportion, the medias fault, etc…..
“We are all incredibly flawed human beings.”
I prove I am daily.
Crowley’s parents have also confirmed she is “getting help” now too.
And just filed a protective order against JFF with FW, Tarrant County and TCU.
https://twitter.com/rlopezwfaa/status/695729000170164224
https://twitter.com/KeithBritton86/status/695739502057291776
again, prayers out to both. so sad.
I’m proving I am because I’m still at work!
I have scored 119k dollars last year working online, despite the fact, I am a full time student. I am a member of an organisation that I heard about and I have received such great cash…hn It is very user friendly and I am glad to be with them. Here are the details .
For Details Click Here
ewq….
Since I made this post, Crowley talked to the Dallas County DA’s office and the case was reopened. The DPD resumed the investigation and were unable to find evidence sufficient to file charges and sent it back to the DA’s office. They suggested she take it a grand jury, which would allow interrogation of Crowley and other possible witnesses under oath.