Attorney: Manziel’s ex-girlfriend has ruptured eardrum
Colleen Crowley, the ex-girlfriend of Johnny Manziel, was hit so hard by the embattled quarterback that she suffered a ruptured left eardrum, her attorney told a Dallas television station on Monday.
Attorney Kathy Kinser told KXAS that Crowley can’t currently hear out of the left ear.
Manziel is being investigated on allegations of domestic violence due to the incident that occurred in the early-morning hours of Jan. 30.
Crowley won a protective order against Manziel last week.
In her affidavit, Crowley said Manziel punched her in the left ear during the incident and ruptured her eardrum.
“They expect it to heal, but it will take a while,” Kinser told the television station.
Manziel told TMZ that the assault didn’t happen.
Crowley’s affidavit states that Manziel dragged her down steps to the exit of a hotel. She said she pleaded with a valet for help — “Please don’t let him take me. I’m scared for my life!”
The Cleveland Browns have already announced they plan to part ways with Manziel, who has been a constant distraction during two seasons with the team. The Browns plan to release Manziel in March.
Seahawks RB Lynch intends to retire
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has apparently played his last football game after agent Doug Hendrickson confirmed Monday that Lynch intends to retire.
Lynch hinted about retiring on Sunday, when he tweeted a picture of cleats hanging off a power line.
The 29-year-old Lynch struggled through an injury-plagued 2015 season with a hamstring issue and then abdominal surgery, and played in only seven regular-season games. He finished with just 417 rushing yards on 111 carries.
Lynch returned for the NFC divisional playoff game against the Carolina Panthers but had little impact during the Seahawks’ 31-24 loss to the Panthers.
Lynch played nine NFL campaigns, the first three-plus seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He was acquired in an in-season trade by the Seahawks in 2010 and became one of the key figures in Seattle’s rise, which included a victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48.
Lynch rushed for over 1,200 yards in four consecutive seasons, topped by 1,590 yards in 2012. He rushed for 48 touchdowns during that four-season run from 2011-14.
Villanova No. 1 in AP poll for first time
The Villanova Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time in program history.
Villanova made the jump from third following then-No. 1 Oklahoma’s 80-69 loss to Kansas State on Saturday and then-No. 2 North Carolina’s losses to Louisville 71-67 last Monday and Notre Dame 80-76 on Saturday.
Villanova received 32 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel for the AP poll released Monday.
The Wildcats also occupy the top spot in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Villanova, which improved to 20-3 overall after its 72-60 victory over Providence on Saturday, had been ranked as high as No. 2 in the AP poll on six previous occasions.
Maryland (21-3) received 13 No. 1 votes and moved up two spots to second.
Oklahoma (19-3), which had been No. 1 for the last three weeks, dropped to third and received seven first-place votes. Iowa (19-4) received 11 first-place votes and moved up one spot to No. 4.
Xavier (21-2) is No. 5, followed by Kansas (19-4), Virginia (19-4), Michigan State (20-4), North Carolina (19-4) and West Virginia (19-4) to round out the top 10.
Warriors C Ezeli undergoes knee surgery
Golden State Warriors backup center Festus Ezeli underwent surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage on Monday and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Ezeli has missed the last five games due to soreness in the knee.
“It’s a big loss. Hopefully, he’ll be back before too long,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Monday’s practice. “Festus is a huge part of our rotation. He’s really had a good year.”
Ezeli is averaging 7.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Jets sign D Byfuglien to five-year extension
The Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year contract extension on Monday worth $38 million with an average annual value of $7.6 million.
Byfuglien, 30, could have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Byfuglien has recorded 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) this season while appearing in all 52 games. He is tied for second in the league for defensemen with his 15 goals.
A four-time NHL all-star, Byfuglien leads the Jets in shots (163), penalty minutes (78) and ice time (24:14 per game).