Johnny Manziel's family hires NCAA-experienced lawyer

A few days after Texas A&M hired the law firm that worked with former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel's family has hired Jim Darnell, an El Paso, Texas, attorney with NCAA experience, the Associated Press reports.

The Manziel family won't publicly comment on the NCAA's inquiry into the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, but told the AP in a statement that Darnell will represent him. Johnny Manziel is under investigation for allegedly receiving thousands of dollars in exchange for autographed memorabilia. The quarterback has denied the allegations.

Darnell's previous experience in NCAA cases includes representing the Baylor basketball program when it was sanctioned in the early 2000s and former USC basketball coach Tim Floyd when he was facing scandal in 2009.

Manziel is the major reason why many a picking Texas A&M to compete for an SEC and possible BCS title. The investigation is ongoing, and while ESPN and Joe Schad have reported on a video that supposedly implicates the quarterback, no concrete evidence has been reported thus far.

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