Ohio State wins; Hudson beats Mentor—again
November 24, 2014Cavaliers vs Magic Behind the Box Score: Baby Steps
November 24, 2014Well, this is one way to celebrate a Victory Monday. The folks over at Cleveland Scene have obtained a police report that indicates that an intoxicated fan saw Johnny Manziel late Friday night and decided he wanted to “hug” the rookie quarterback. The process didn’t unfold as the fan apparently liked as he was soon provided a “swollen lip, right eye swollen, red face.”
The entire incident reportedly happened at The 9, a downtown Cleveland complex in which Manziel (and plenty other local athletes) allegedly lives.
The alleged victim, 33-year-old Sandusky resident Chris Gonos, reported to police that he and his girlfriend spotted Manziel while waiting for an elevator at the high-end apartment complex, where many Cleveland professional athletes live, and professed his love to the rookie quarterback.
Gonos told police he pointed Manziel out to his girlfriend: “That’s Johnny Manziel.” Then he approached him.
According to the report, “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.'”
Gonos stepped towards Manziel and was promptly punched in the face, the alleged victim’s account to police says, followed by a beat down by Manziel’s crew, giving the man a “swollen lip, right eye swollen, red face.” A security guard intervened and also was hurt.
So, for those keeping score, a 33-year-old told a 21-year-old that he loves him and asked for a hug, and was then promptly put in his place.
Scene also has comments from Gonos, who admitted that he started the entire fracas.
“Yeah, it actually all started through me. We had a room – it was my brother’s birthday — so we were staying at the Metropolitan at the 9. We partied there, and at the end of the night I was going back up to my room, and I noticed the guy. I was like, ‘Man, that’s Johnny Manziel.’ They were trying to keep it quiet, keep it low, and I was like ‘Johnny Football!’ I was just excited. But anyways, I went to give him like a handshake, or dap or whatever you want to call it, one of his buddies like tackled me. It was going down, a whole bunch of people started fighting. It ended pretty quick.” …
“No
, like 20 officers came and I was sitting in the lobby because I did not do anything wrong but be a fan. All these cops run into the lobby, and they’re like, “Who was fighting, who was fighting?” and I just raised my hand, and was like, listen, watch the camera, and stuff like that. I may be guilty of being a fan, but that’s about it.
Gonos also claims that one of his friends “smashed” Manziel in the face and that they were attentively watching Sunday’s game to see if any marks were visible. So much for the “love” thing.
The Browns have also issued a statement saying that they are “aware of the incident and are in the process of gathering additional information in order to gain a complete understanding of what occurred.” The acknowledge that a late-night timestamp is concerning and that they continually stressthe importance of sound decision making in an effort to avoid putting themselves in these types of situations.
Whatever happened to the good old days when you could accost an athlete in the lobby of his own apartment complex due to simply being “a fan?” Man, how times change…
Update: From Johnny Manziel’s agent…
Statement from Johnny Manziel's agent @ErikBurkhardt pic.twitter.com/bQyoauFh2d
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 24, 2014
29 Comments
“I did not do anything wrong but be a fan”
No. What you did was act like a drunk and try to hug a complete stranger. Nothing about that is cool.
Just another reason why players will continue to distance themselves from fans. You’re not guilty of “just being a fan”. You’re guilty of trying to hug a man-stranger in the wee hours.
Good thing it happened before they got on the elevator. Once inside, we may never have known the full truth.
/Goodell’ed
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“Would Peyton Manning be out partying 2 nights before a big game.” Dustin Fox. Literal quote.
I saw a 21 year old at his home attacked by a stranger 2 nights before a big game that Johnny would not ever see the field even though the guy in front of him on the depth chart was committing far more serious crimes than whatever this “fan” did.
Fox has an irrational dislike for Manziel.
I turned the show on for 30 seconds just to see their game reaction. They opened with the Manziel story and Fox went into his tirade about what Peyton Manning would have done. That was my minute with Bull & Fox for the month.
So not only did this jerk instigate a confrontation, he’s continuing to grandstand in the media before his 15 minutes expire.
Honestly, I’m glad Manziel has a “crew.” Good for him. Good for them. Now, if they can just stop people from taking photos everywhere he goes (maybe they do – haven’t seen any “swanning” recently).
I don’t like seeing Manziel in the news for off the field behavior than on the field performance but the “fans” story seems fishy. Plus he has a bit of a history (Via Busted Coverage) http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/dollars-diannas-deli/5510561
Athletes want to avoid fans at all costs and I can’t say I blame them.
“My only crime is loving too much!!!!!”
-stalkers everywhere
Yeah, this episode will be a great litmus test for those who analyze Manziel rationally and those who look for any reason to cast him in ill light. Looking forward to the fallout.
Seems like a nice family.
Who wants to hug a benchwarmer?
Fox continued, “That Johnny and his late night partying….and now he’s getting into fights with pillar of the community! And look what happened…his antics led caused us 3 INTs yesterday. I say we stone him!”
what’s a little tax fraud among friends ?
Fandom was so much more pure 50 years ago. Back then the jock himself got to deck the drunk a-hole fan.
Pfft, Obama.
Jersey Shore meets Cedar Point.
If the Browns ever let the kid throw a football they could probably count on him to be a little more involved in football and a little less involved in, um, yeah.
Fox is the worst. I only actually hear him as part of the game day broadcasts, and he’s never got anything useful to say. Tons of dead air while he hems and haws before finally coughing up something like… “Um…you know the D had to step it up today. They did that. They…brining pressure…that’s what it’s all about.”
Serious question…why does he have such a big role on that station and in the game day broadcasts? Opinions aside…he just sounds unprofessional.
Sorry but no, there are parts of this story that this idiot “fan” must be conveniently leaving out. The kind of people who would jump into a brawl in a situation like that are the kind of people who are just looking to get into a fight. Enjoy your manufactured fifteen minutes of fame Chris Gonos, you buffoon.
Apparently he has a criminal background too, multiple arrests etc
He sounds like a real winner. His mother must be proud.
He’s a white guy in Cleveland who won a national championship with the Buckeyes, screams love for local boy Hoyer, and can say things like “I know what it’s like to play in the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.” I’m not shocked at all the mouth breathers love him.
She’s probably in jail.
And, I’m sure he’ll be joining her soon. I have a feeling this altercation is a violation of his probation.
Together for the holidays!
Not to mention a “history of substance abuse” for Chris…