Johnny Manziel Facing Midnight Curfew From Cleveland Browns?

The Cleveland Browns may be considering imposing a midnight curfew on rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel after he was allegedly involved in a massive brawl at a downtown hotel over the weekend.

Several media outlets have reported the former Heisman Trophy winner and his entourage were at the center of a fight just before 3 a.m. last Friday during which a member of his entourage was accused of assault. Alleged victim Chris Gonos claims he simply tried to speak with the former Texas A&M star and instead was punched in the face.

“We’re never comfortable . . . with guys being involved in incidents that late at night,” Browns coach Mike Pettine told the Mike & Mike Show. “There’s a saying in the league, ‘Nothing good happens after midnight.’”

According to ESPN, a Manziel associate has since insisted  Gonos “attempted to assault his client and he defended him.”

For his part, Manziel continues to claim he did nothing wrong, and police have yet to criminally charge him in connection with the melee. Still, Pettine seems to feel none of the publicity comes as a good look for someone many foresee as the team’s signal-caller of the future.

“I’ve had a talk with Johnny,” he said. “He was very up-front with us and notified us immediately when it occurred. As far as in the building, he’s been a true professional, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him, but obviously this is something that’s unfortunate.”

Currently, Manziel serves as Brian Hoyer’s backup and has managed to take just five snaps this season. But Pettine hinted he’s stressed to the hotshot rookie that part of being a true profession is being ready whenever your number might be called.

“The time of the incident is concerning to us,” said Browns GM Ray Farmar. “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.”

[Photo Credit: Erik Daniel Drost]