Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel and his entourage were involved in a massive brawl in downtown Cleveland late Friday night after an incident with an "eager fan", according to a report from Cleveland Scene.
Police were called to the lobby of the "The 9" apartment complex at 2:36 a.m. for a report of a "riot" involving 20 men and two security guards.
The alleged victim, 33-year-old Chris G0nos, said he was walking with his girlfriend when he saw Manziel and approached him, saying "I'm the biggest Browns fan ever, I love you, I want to give you a hug."
The report says the man was then punched in the face and beaten down by Manziel's entourage, giving him a "swollen lip, right eye swollen, red face".
Here are the relevant portions of the police report:
ON 11-22-14 … WE RECEIVED A RADIO BROADCAST TO RESPOND TO 2017 E. 9 (METROPOLITAN AT THE 9) C/W A LARGE FIGHT.UPON ARRIVAL WE WERE ADVISED BY HOTEL STAFF THAT THE FIGHT HAD BEEN DISPURSED. AT THIS TIME THE VICTIM (GONOS) APPROACHED US AND ADVISED HE WAS ASSAULTED BY JOHNNY FOOTBALL AND HIS ENTOURAGE.
VICTIM STATES THAT WHILE WAITING FOR THE ELEVATOR AN UNDINTIFIED MALE IN A WHITE HOODED SWEATSHIRT WHO VICTIM STATES WAS JOHNNY MANZIEL APPROACHED THE ELEVATOR WITH SEVERAL OTHER MALES INCLUDING THE OFFENDER (KIRK).
AT THIS TIME VICTIM STATES THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION WITH THE UNIDENTIFIED MALE IN THE WHITE HOODED SWEATSHIRT.
VICTIM STATES THAT HE BEGAN SAYING “THAT’S JOHNNY MANZIEL” TO HIS GIRLFRIEND.
AT THIS TIME VICTIM STATED TO THE UNIDENTIFIED MALE, “I’M THE BIGGEST BROWNS FAN EVER, I LOVE YOU, I WANT TO GIVE YOU A HUG.” AT THIS TIME VICTIMED STATED THAT HE TOOK ONE STEP TOWARDS THE UNIDENTIFIED MALE WHO HE STATES WAS JOHNNY MANZIEL AND WAS STRUCK SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FACE BY THE OFFENDER.
AT THIS TIME VICTIM STATES THAT HE WAS THEN PUSHED AND ATTACKED BY THE OFFENDER AND SEVERAL OTHER UNIDENTIFIED MALES.
AT THIS TIME A HOTEL STAFF MEMBER INTERVENED AND BROKE THE FIGHT UP.
HOTEL STAFF MEMBER STATED THAT HE WAS ALSO STRUCK IN THE FACE AND WE OBSERVED AN ABRASION TO HIS LOWER LIP.
….
AT THIS TIME WE INTERVIEWED THE OFFENDER WHO STATED THAT THE VICTIM ATTEMPTED TO ASSAULT HIS CLIENT AND HE DEFENDED HIM. OFFENDER VISABLE INJRIES AND REFUSED EMS.
Gonos gave this statement to Cleveland Scene, claiming Manziel sucker punched his brother.
“I got a bruised hip and a bruised elbow, and somebody hit me in the back of the head, too. My brother saw what was going on and he ran he tackled Johhny Manziel – I guess he got the sack and the fumble. He tackled him, yeah, I’m talking about he speared him all the way to the back wall. I was cornered; I was by myself and Johnny Manziel and like three or four of his buddies were all coming at me. (My brother) just came to help me out, and I guess Johnny sucker punched him while the security guard was holding him. It should be all on video.”
Browns general Manager Ray Farmer released this statement Monday regarding the matter:
“We are aware of the incident and are in the process of gathering additional information in order to gain a complete understanding of what occurred. Nonetheless, the time of the incident is concerning to us. We continually stress to all our players the importance of sound decision making in an effort to avoid putting themselves in these types of situations. We have addressed this appropriately with the player and will have no further comment at this time."
Stay tuned to Chat Sports for more information on this story as it develops.
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