Johnny Manziel's Dad: Without Help, Son Will Be Dead By 24

The saga of Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel took a dark turn this week after his girlfriend alleged that the former Heisman Trophy winner hit her, dragged her by the hair and threatened to kill her.

Manziel’s football career has already been on thin ice, with the Browns expected to cut him as soon as league rules allow.

But more importantly, the people closest to him fear for his life as each new allegation unfolds.

Troubling allegations

Manziel’s girlfriend said she and some friends met up with him at an upscale Dallas hotel, where he repeatedly hit her in their hotel room after the friends left, according to the Dallas Morning News, citing a police report.

After he dragged her into his car by her hair to drive them home, he told her, “shut up or I’ll kill us both,” and continued to hit her on the way home, WFAA reported, citing police sources.

They got home, and she grabbed a knife, fearing for her life, according to WFAA. She did not want to fill out a statement or have police photograph her injuries, the News reported.

A judge Friday signed a protective order to keep Manziel away from the woman for two years and ordered him to pay $12,000 in legal fees, according to WFAA.

Manziel denies

“It didn’t happen,” Manziel told TMZ shortly after details of the arrest came out.

“I have great things coming ahead,” he said. “I know I’ve been having fun, but I just need to get my body right. I’m 100 percent committed to playing football.”

Family fears for his life

Manziel’s father, Paul, said he tried to check his son into a rehab facility Saturday, but Manziel refused to stay, according to the News.

He tried to get him into another facility Tuesday, but the hospital couldn’t force him to stay, even after Paul Manziel told police that he believed Manziel was suicidal, the News reported.

“I truly believe if they can’t get him help, he won’t live to see his 24th birthday,” his father told the News.

Football over?

“We’ve been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field,” the Browns said in a statement after the incident. “Johnny’s continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization.”

The Browns can’t cut him just yet under league rules but are expected to do so on March 8, the beginning of the NFL’s new year, according to ESPN.

The NFL is expected to impose “significant penalties” on Manziel in the near future, according to Bleacher Report.

Agent cuts ties

If Manziel wants to stay in football, he’ll have to do so with new representation.

“Thought I will remain a friend of Johnny and 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,” Erik Burkhardt said in a statement.

Image via Wikimedia Commons