The NFL said Tuesday it will not discipline Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel for an October driving incident involving his girlfriend.
"Consistent with the procedures of the league's Personal Conduct Policy, we have examined the available evidence regarding the recent incident involving Johnny Manziel," the league said in a statement. "Our investigation included a thorough review of information from law enforcement and our own interviews with multiple individuals, including the two involved in the incident. Based on the information gathered, we have concluded that there is an insufficient basis on which to take disciplinary action. In all cases of this nature, our concern under the Personal Conduct Policy goes well beyond the issue of discipline, and we have made comprehensive professional resources available on a confidential basis."
No charges were filed against Manziel following the Oct. 12 incident, in which witnesses reported him driving dangerously on an interstate highway. His girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, said he had beaten her in the car and pushed her head against the glass, but she later declined to press charges.
After questioning both Manziel and Crowley, police in Avon, Ohio, allowed the couple to leave together to go to Manziel's home. Police smelled alcohol on Manziel's breath but did not give him a field sobriety test because he showed no signs of inebriation, police said.
Manziel admitted to having a couple drinks downtown on the Browns' off-day. He had spent 10 weeks in a treatment facility in the offseason.
Callers to 911 on Oct. 12 reported Manziel driving at a high rate of speed on the shoulder of the highway. Witnesses told police Crowley had attempted to jump out of the moving car as it exited the highway. A 911 caller also said Manziel cut across several lanes of traffic to exit.
When news of the incident broke a few days later, the couple both posted on social media that they had an argument that got out of hand but were fine. On Nov. 5, Crowley posted on Instagram a video of Manziel holding a puppy in the passenger seat of a car as she drove.
Earlier Tuesday, Manziel was named the Browns' starter for the remainder of the season.
"I appreciate the NFL's diligence and discretion in reviewing a situation that was both personal and embarrassing," Manziel said in a statement through his friend and advisor, Brad Beckworth. "Colleen and I cooperated fully with the NFL's process and completely support their goals of making sure that every family under their umbrella is safer and more secure. I'm grateful that the review was so thorough and fair that there should be no question left in the public mind about what actually happened. I'm looking forward to focusing my energies on our start against the Ravens and bringing in a win for our fans in Cleveland."
Manziel has started the past two games for the Browns with Josh McCown out with injured ribs. The team lost 31-10 to the Cincinnati Bengals and 30-9 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in those games. Manziel threw for 168 yards and had a 75.5 rating against Cincinnati, but he rebounded to throw for 372 yards with a 95.8 rating against Pittsburgh.
The QB said it's important to show he can be trusted off the field.
"Coach [Mike] Pettine came in and said he didn't want to micromanage me or any of the other guys on our time off, but at the same time, I let him know that I am not going to do anything that is going to be a distraction to this team or be an embarrassment to the organization," Manziel said. "That was the thing he stressed to me as well."