"Just days ago, Allen Iverson's career took a turn for the worse. Now, the same can be said about his life.

At a time when the Iversons' 4-year-old daughter, Messiah, continues to suffer from an undisclosed illness, Tawanna Iverson took steps to end an 8-year marriage with the former superstar for the 76ers. She filed for divorce Tuesday in Fulton County (Ga.) Superior Court.

The divorce petition said the marriage was "irretrievably broken," that Iverson and his wife are separated, and that Tawanna Iverson wants to retain custody of their five children.

Iverson was unavailable for comment. The Sixers announced Tuesday that the former all-star would not return this season because he is dealing with his daughter's illness.

"This is going to be another situation where something difficult that has happened in his life takes away from all of his accomplishments and everything he stood for," said Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown, who coached Iverson with the Sixers. "That, to me, is the saddest thing of all.""