The family of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has hired an attorney as the NCAA reportedly investigates whether he accepted payment for signing autographs. The Manziel family also put their College Station home up for sale, fueling speculation this will be his last season as an Aggie.
Manziel's family retained the services of Jim Darnell, an attorney in El Paso, Texas. Darnell was brought in "a couple of weeks ago" and has experience representing individuals that are under investigation by the NCAA, according to USA Today Sports.
"I can't say much other than we're working through the process," Darnell told USA Today Sports. "He's cooperating with the investigation. We think when all this comes out on the other end, he'll be the starting quarterback for the Aggies against Rice."
Darnell said there is no timetable for when the investigation might conclude.
NCAA rules prohibit players or family from commenting on active investigations. The Manziel family released a statement, according to USA Today Sports, that said the family would comply with NCAA rules and not comment on the investigation.
Manziel is being investigated by the NCAA for allegedly signing autographs in exchange for money. At least six autograph brokers have come forward to ESPN and said Manziel took payments for his signature. One broker paid $7,500 to Manziel, ESPN reported.
If the NCAA finds Manziel knowingly profited from signing autographs, his college eligibility could be at risk.
Amidst the ongoing investigation, the Manziel family also listed for sale its $405,000 house in College Station, CBS Sports reported. The family originally purchased the house, which is only 15 minutes away from the A&M campus, to be closer to him.
With Manziel's father recently voicing his displeasure with the school to ESPN, putting the house on the market appears to indicate Manziel is playing in his final year at A&M. He would be eligible for next year's NFL draft after this season.
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