Johnny Manziel dashcam video could lead to NFL trouble
AVON, Ohio - The NFL is reviewing a roadside fight involving backup Cleveland Browns quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
Dashcam video, police reports and 911 calls from the incident have been released. Manziel's girlfriend said in one of the recordings the athlete struck her several times and "I'm in fear for my life."
The quarterback was not charged.
Browns coach Mike Pettine said the league plans to investigate the high-profile backup quarterback's domestic dispute last week, an altercation which raised new concerns about Manziel and his future with the club.
CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz reports that by the time police arrived at the scene of the incident, Manziel's white Nissan sports car had pulled off the road, and Colleen Crowley was sitting in a ditch.
According to the dashcam video, Manziel said the couple was enjoying a night out on the town last Monday when Crowley accused him of trying to meet other girls. That's when things went downhill.
"She said I was driving too crazy, trying to injure her and hurt her which is not the case at all," Manziel says in the video. "As we got right here, she rolled down her window, grabbed my wallet, and threw my wallet here into this field."
But Crowley, who had a small abrasion on her wrist, told police "Manziel pushed her head against the glass of the car" and that he "hit her a couple of times."
"We've been dating for over a year, and he just freaked out on the way home and I'm not used to it," Crowley said in the video.
Witnesses said Manziel, also known as "Johnny Football," was speeding and driving recklessly.
"There's a lady in the passenger seat trying to jump out, and the guy is poking her, rubbing her neck," a 911 caller said.
In another 911 call, Manziel could be overheard pleading with Crowley.
Officers said Manziel -- who checked into a drug and alcohol rehab facility earlier this year -- smelled slightly of alcohol, but did not appear intoxicated.
Crowley, however, allegedly had "bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and was having difficulty focusing."
She also acted belligerently toward officers and a Good Samaritan who wanted to help.
Police let the couple go, unable to determine the primary aggressor.
Manziel tweeted it was a "dumb public argument" that "looked more interesting than it was." On an Instagram post that was later deleted, Crowley wrote, "j & i are good."
Bill Cowher, co-host of CBS' "The NFL Today," said the once highly touted former Heisman Trophy winner had become a distraction and should be cut from his team.
"I think he's a backup quarterback at best," Cowher said. "And he's a distraction off the field. Listen, I believe in second chances. But after the second chance, to me there's a zero tolerance policy. He can't put himself into the position he put himself in to."
Following his rocky rookie season, Manziel checked himself into a Pennsylvania rehab facility and spent 70 days receiving treatment for an unknown condition. It's not known if he is in the league's substance-abuse program. If he is and if he violated any conditions, Manziel could face additional fines or suspensions.
Browns coach Pettine would not comment on Manziel's after-care program, saying only that "it's private."
Pettine began his Monday news conference, normally reserved for wrapping up the previous day's game, by addressing Manziel's situation. Pettine said the 22-year-old quarterback was active for Sunday's game because the team was satisfied with its investigation into the incident.
Pettine also disputed the notion the team gave Manziel a free pass by having him available to play.
"We've dealt with it, it's not like we ignored it," Pettine said. "Until we had all the information from the police and when the league concludes their report we'll have a more total picture of what happened. But given the details that we had, we made our decision based on the details we had in hand."
In his second season with Cleveland, Pettine bristled at the idea that there is no accountability with his players for their actions.
"I'm not of the mind that all discipline has to be public," Pettine said. "If you think we're turning a cheek to it and ignoring it, you'd be dead wrong. I get the concern and I get the outcry and I know everything with him is magnified times a thousand. He's made a lot of strides and this is a process for him and I know it's something that is upsetting.
"It's upsetting for all of us."
Pettine would not say if the Browns have considered trading Manziel, a first-round draft pick in 2014.