According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, agent Drew Rosenhaus informed former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manzielthat he has ended their representation agreement but will reverse his decision if the quarterback corrects his off-field behavior issues in expedient fashion.
Schefter relayed Rosenhaus' complete statement via Facebook:
I have terminated the standard representation with Johnny Manziel in the hopes of helping him get the treatment I believe he needs. I have informed him that if he takes the immediate steps I have outlined for him that I will rescind the termination and continue to represent him. Otherwise the termination will become permanent. There is a five-day window for me to rescind the termination. I'm hoping he takes the necessary steps to get his life back on track.
Rosenhaus continued on SiriusXM Satellite Radio, per Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk), saying he gave the ultimatum to help a "young man who's in trouble" and that the quarterback was in a "life and death situation."
"If he doesn't follow my advice and get help then I have to stand down," Rosenhaus said. "I'm very concerned about him, very concerned."
ESPN.com's Ed Werder put Rosenhaus' drastic action in perspective:
Manziel's partnership with Rosenhaus lasted less than one month after the two sides finalized terms of an agreement on March 19, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.
Manziel's former agent, Erik Burkhardt, severed ties with the 23-year-old on Feb. 5 shortly after Manziel was accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend.
Like Rosenhaus, Burkhardt expressed concern for Manziel's well-being when he announced he was ending their professional relationship just over two months ago, according to ESPN.com:
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. 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.
I truly wish the best for Johnny and sincerely hope he can, and will, find the kind of peace and happiness he deserves.
Prospective NFL employers have assumed similar stances. Citing sources, The MMQB's Emily Kaplan reported in March that Manziel would be "untouchable" unless he sought treatment.
Similarly, LeBron James' business manager, Maverick Carter, told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon in January that the LRMR management company had parted ways with Manziel since the quarterback needed "to focus on personal growth."
In February 2015, family attorney Brad Beckworth revealed to ESPN.com'sJeremy Fowler that Manziel checked into a treatment facility at the end of January to "be a better family member, friend and teammate."
Since then, Manziel has been plagued by a variety of off-field issues, including his alleged domestic assault of ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. According to WFAA's Rebecca Lopez, Crowley told police Manziel threatened to kill himself and Crowley "after forcing her into a car, hitting her and dragging her by the hair."
The misdemeanor assault case—which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine—has yet to be heard by a Dallas grand jury, but Dallas County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Brittany Dunn told CBS 11 News' Jack Douglas Jr. that it has been "rescheduled" and will "probably" be heard by a new grand jury.
Schefter relayed Rosenhaus' complete statement via Facebook:
I have terminated the standard representation with Johnny Manziel in the hopes of helping him get the treatment I believe he needs. I have informed him that if he takes the immediate steps I have outlined for him that I will rescind the termination and continue to represent him. Otherwise the termination will become permanent. There is a five-day window for me to rescind the termination. I'm hoping he takes the necessary steps to get his life back on track.
Rosenhaus continued on SiriusXM Satellite Radio, per Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk), saying he gave the ultimatum to help a "young man who's in trouble" and that the quarterback was in a "life and death situation."
"If he doesn't follow my advice and get help then I have to stand down," Rosenhaus said. "I'm very concerned about him, very concerned."
ESPN.com's Ed Werder put Rosenhaus' drastic action in perspective:
Manziel's partnership with Rosenhaus lasted less than one month after the two sides finalized terms of an agreement on March 19, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.
Manziel's former agent, Erik Burkhardt, severed ties with the 23-year-old on Feb. 5 shortly after Manziel was accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend.
Like Rosenhaus, Burkhardt expressed concern for Manziel's well-being when he announced he was ending their professional relationship just over two months ago, according to ESPN.com:
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. 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.
I truly wish the best for Johnny and sincerely hope he can, and will, find the kind of peace and happiness he deserves.
Prospective NFL employers have assumed similar stances. Citing sources, The MMQB's Emily Kaplan reported in March that Manziel would be "untouchable" unless he sought treatment.
Similarly, LeBron James' business manager, Maverick Carter, told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon in January that the LRMR management company had parted ways with Manziel since the quarterback needed "to focus on personal growth."
In February 2015, family attorney Brad Beckworth revealed to ESPN.com'sJeremy Fowler that Manziel checked into a treatment facility at the end of January to "be a better family member, friend and teammate."
Since then, Manziel has been plagued by a variety of off-field issues, including his alleged domestic assault of ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. According to WFAA's Rebecca Lopez, Crowley told police Manziel threatened to kill himself and Crowley "after forcing her into a car, hitting her and dragging her by the hair."
The misdemeanor assault case—which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine—has yet to be heard by a Dallas grand jury, but Dallas County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Brittany Dunn told CBS 11 News' Jack Douglas Jr. that it has been "rescheduled" and will "probably" be heard by a new grand jury.
