Johnny Manziel Indicted on Assault Charge

Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was indicted today in Texas following allegations that he assaulted an ex-girlfriend.

A grand jury charged Manziel, 23, with assault causing bodily injury and family violence, according to court documents.

Manziel’s lead counsel, Jim Darnell, said in a statement after the indictment was announced: “We certainly respect the decision of the grand jury but of course they only hear part of the case: What the D.A. chooses to share with them. We don’t know what that was. Johnny will certainly plead ‘not guilty’ and we believe the evidence will support that plea. Out of respect for Ms. [Colleen] Crowley, we will not try the case in the press. We do, however, believe that Johnny will be acquitted at the conclusion of the case.”

The charge follows accusations from Manziel’s ex-girlfriend Crowley that he accosted her and then hit her during an incident in Texas in January. Instead of an arrest, Dallas police sent the case to a grand jury. Crowley was granted a protective order.

In 2012, while at Texas A&M, Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. He later signed with the Cleveland Browns. The team released him in March 2016.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.