It sure looks like free agent quarterback Johnny Manziel is in the process of clearing one off-field hurdle. The former Cleveland Browns first-round pick has reportedly reached a deal with prosecutors for the dismissal of an assault case involving his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley.
BREAKING: Johnny Manziel reaches tentative deal with prosecutors for dismissal of domestic assault case involving ex-girlfriend.
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) November 17, 2016
If you remember correctly, the former Heisman winner was indicted during the spring on misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an alleged incident with Crowley earlier this year in which she alleges that he struck her so hard that she ruptured her eardrum. Her allegations also included harrowing testimony that Manziel himself was on drugs and had threatened both of their lives (more on that here).
Manziel was released by the Browns two months after this incident and has since been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
With a long history of off-field issues dating back to his playing days with Texas A&M, Johnny Football needs to get his house in order off the field in order to make a comeback to the professional football world.
It remains to be seen if Thursday’s agreement with prosecutors will help him clear these hurdles or simply act as a enabler for continued off-field troubles. That question will surely be answered down the road.
A full agreement to drop the domestic violence charges is expected in December.