The father of quarterback Johnny Manziel, who is expected to be cut by the Cleveland Browns next month and lost his agent today, said that he fears for his son’s life.
In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Paul Manziel said that his 23-year-old son was asked this week to go to rehab twice, but declined both times.
“I truly believe if they can't get him help, he won't live to see his 24th birthday,” Paul Manziel said.
The comment came as agent Erik Burkhardt said in a statement to ESPN that he is cutting ties with Manziel. Burkhardt said that Manziel’s future rests in his hands and wished him the best.
“Though I will remain a friend and Johnny supporter, and he knows I have worked tirelessly to arrange a number of professional options for him to continue to pursue, it has become painfully obvious that his future rests solely in his own hands,” Burkhardt said. “His family and I have gone to great lengths to outline the steps we feel he must take to get his life in order. Accountability is the foundation of any relationship, and without it, the function of my work is counterproductive.”
After two seasons in the NFL, Manziel’s future in the league is completely uncertain. The Browns are expected to cut him after several off-the-field issues during the season. On Jan. 30, he was accused of striking his ex-girlfriend in Dallas, but police there say the case is closed. In an interview with TMZ Sports on Feb. 4, Manziel denied that he hit his ex-girlfriend.
Manziel won the Heisman Trophy, but he hasn’t met the same success on the field in the NFL. He is only 2-6 as a starter and has thrown seven interceptions and seven touchdowns.