Manziel's agent dumps him as client; father expresses concern for Manziel's well-being

Johnny Manziel's NFL career took another turn for the worse on Friday when his agent, Erik Burkhardt, dropped Manziel as a client. It's rare for an agent to scuttle a player, especially a high-profile one, but Burkhardt said in a statement that he did all he could for the troubled quarterback.

“It is with deep regret that, after several emotional and very personal discussions with his family, his doctors, and my client himself, I have made the decision to terminate my professional relationship with Johnny Manziel,” Burkhardt said.

“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.”

Manziel's father has also publicly expressed concern for his son, telling the Dallas Morning News that, "I truly believe if they can't get him help, he won't live to see his 24th birthday."

Manziel is also expected to be dumped by his team, the Cleveland Browns, at the start of the league year in March. The key phrase in Burkhardt's statement might be that he consulted with Manziel's doctors, suggesting that his problems involve serious questions about his health. Could alcohol or other substances be his biggest concern? That adds a layer of worry to his clouded NFL future two years after he was a first-round pick of the Browns.

In a second incident involving the law, police were called to a possible domestic-violence incident involving his former girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, although no charges were filed and the police have closed their investigation into this past week's most recent call from Crowley.

That didn't stop Burkhardt from saying enough is enough. The timing of the agent's statement is not coincidental.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm