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NFL continues its investigation of Johnny Manziel

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Manziel doesn't have the right people in his huddle (1:35)

Herm Edwards explains that Browns QB Johnny Manziel has to look at himself in the mirror and realize that he needs help, and that he may even need to sit out a year "cause his life is more important than playing football." (1:35)

The NFL continues to investigate what happened the night of Jan. 29 and the morning of Jan. 30 with Johnny Manziel.

The league hired former New York district attorney Lisa Friel as a senior adviser in September, 2014 to conduct investigations such as this because of her experience in domestic abuse cases.

It was Friel who interviewed Manziel in October following another alleged incident of abuse with Colleen Crowley in Avon, Ohio. Some of the circumstances were similar to Dallas with Manziel allegedly hitting Crowley while they were in a car.

Manziel was not charged in October, and he and Crowley were allowed to leave together.

As part of the NFL's investigation, Friel spoke with Manziel, Crowley and the Avon police. The NFL and Friel decided that "there is an insufficient basis on which to take disciplinary action."

A request to interview Friel was made this week. The NFL said "she's not available right now."

In December of 2014, the NFL announced new procedures and penalties as part of a revised personal conduct policy. In addition to penalties, the policy also included additional funding for counseling and services for victims, families and violators. They also included funding for independent investigators, increased education, and an expert group of advisers to review and evaluate violations and policy.

Cleveland Browns owner Dee Haslam is one of the members of the conduct committee.

The policy states the first instance of domestic violence could lead to a suspension of six games or more. A second offense could lead to being banned from the league.

Violations include "assault, battery, domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, other forms of family violence or sexual assault."

A conviction is not necessary for discipline to be enacted, as the policy states: "… even if your conduct does not result in a criminal conviction, if the league finds that you have engaged in [violations] you will be subject to discipline."

Crowley filed a detailed affidavit detailing the alleged abuse in the most recent case, and Crowley's attorney told NBC5 in Dallas that Crowley had a ruptured eardrum as a result of the incident. Manziel has not been heard from, nor have his attorneys.

When asked if the league would act before the criminal investigation is completed, the NFL simply sent the policy, which states the league will work independently in investigating, but would "cooperate with and to avoid any conflict or interference with the law enforcement proceedings."

A source in Dallas said Crowley has and will cooperate with the investigation. She already has interviewed with the Family Violence Unit of the Dallas Police Department.

In a statement she released Feb. 5, Crowley asked that her privacy be respected. That was in part because she received "all kind of backlash" from the October incident, both in person and on social media.

"She's tired of being hounded," the source said. "She's trying to avoid doing anything to attract the haters."

Crowley did not initially cooperate with police the night of the incident because she feared that Manziel was suicidal, the source said. As a result she waited six days to file a complaint.

In the interim, she received a protection order, which states Manziel has to stay away from Crowley for two years -- the standard length of time in Texas for a civil protection order.

It was important to Crowley that she get the protection order before talking to police, the source said, because she feared Manziel might seek her out if he knew she had filed a complaint. The protection order prevented that from happening.

Manziel signed the order agreeing to its terms.