He’s without a team, and has lost his agent and his biggest sponsor, but Johnny Manziel says he is still preparing to play in the NFL this year.
Manziel, who was cut by the Browns in March, was dropped by agent Drew Rosenhaus on Tuesday, and on Wednesday Nike said they had ended their multi-year deal with the former Heisman Trophy winner.
But Manziel said in a statement: “I’m hoping to take care of the issues in front of me right now so I can focus on what I have to do if I want to play in 2016. I also continue to be thankful to those who really know me and support me.”
Nike spokesman Brian Strong told ESPN that Manziel, who was signed to a a long contract in March 2014, is no longer an endorser of the brand.
Sources said Nike terminated the deal some time after the NFL season ended. Up until the start of the 2015 season, Nike had sold more Browns Manziel jerseys than those of any other player.
Rosenhaus dropped Manziel as a client on Tuesday, according to ESPN. Rosenhaus said last week he would cut ties with Manziel if the former Heisman Trophy winner didn’t seek treatment.
Rosenhaus said he decided to cut ties with Manziel “in the hopes of helping him get the treatment I believe he needs.”
The Dallas County district attorney’s office announced on Tuesday it would present Manziel’s assault case to a grand jury on Thursday. Manziel faces up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine if the grand jury chooses to indict him on the misdemeanor assault charge, which stems from allegations made by his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley.
“So many people only have one image of Jonathan but, believe it or not, he takes all this very seriously,” said Denise Michaels, Manziel’s spokesperson. “He’s hoping that he can clear up his personal issues, start interviewing agents and see what he needs to do if he wants to play this year.”
