Johnny Manziel attends a Cleveland Cavaliers game on November 17. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

A 33-year-old Ohio man said he was attacked by members of Johnny Manziel’s entourage in a hotel lobby early Saturday morning after he tried to approach the football star.

Chris Gonos told USA TODAY Sports that he spotted Manziel near the elevators at The 9 condominium and hotel early Saturday morning. Gonos, who described himself as a die-hard Browns fan, said he called out, “Johnny Football!” and approached Manziel.

“I went to give him a handshake, but before I could even do that, I was tackled by this dude,” Gonos said.

Gonos said his brother and Manziel also joined the fray, which was quickly broken up by security.

“Johnny Manziel sucker punched my brother,” Gonos said. “[Manziel] was definitely pouncing. Like he was on the streets, trying to fight. I’m not going to lie, it was scary.”

Gonos, who was staying at the Metropolitan at The 9 with family members to celebrate his brother’s birthday, said he spoke with police after the fight was broken up. He declined medical treatment, and said he has bruises on his elbow and hip and a bump on his head.

“I was definitely shocked. I was born in Cleveland, lived in the area, live in Sandusky now. I go to Cavs games. I’ve seen other athletes before – usually they are flattered, say hi or smile. This was totally different,” Gonos said. “It definitely changes how I feel about him. I mean, definitely. The guy is an immature kid. I’m 33 years old going up to a kid, giving my respect. A handshake, a high five.”

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer issued a statement Monday in which he called the timing of the incident “concerning.” The Browns traveled to Atlanta later Saturday to play the Falcons.

“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,” Farmer said. “We continually stress to all of 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.”

This is the first police-related incident involving Manziel since he was drafted by the Browns in May, but off-field controversy has followed the enigmatic former Heisman Trophy winner since his time at Texas A&M.

(Thomas Campbell/USA TODAY Sports)

He was arrested in July 2012, before he became the Aggies’ starting quarterback after a bar fight in College Station, Tex., though a disorderly conduct charge was later dismissed. He was caught up in an autograph signing scandal after the 2012 season.

Manziel gained a reputation as a party boy, with a collection of famous friends like Drake, Justin Bieber, Rob Gronkowski and LeBron James, while his exploits well-documented on social media and the paparazzi.

In the months after the Browns drafted Manziel at No. 22, he was spotted partying in Houston and Austin, Tex., in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, raising questions about his work ethic when he arrived in Berea, Ohio to compete for the Browns’ starting quarterback job.

He eventually lost that competition to veteran Brian Hoyer, who has led the Browns to a 7-4 record. Manizel has played sparingly in specialty packages and has said recently that he’s just trying to improve as a quarterback and wait his turn to play.

A police report described the incident as a “large fight” that had been broken up by the time officers arrived. The man whom Gonos accused of attacking him, identified in the police report as 24-year-old Dana Kirk of Kerrville, Tex., told police he was defending Manziel.

Per the report:

Upon arrival we were advised by hotel staff that the fight had been dispersed. At this time the victim (Gonos) approached us and advised he was assaulted by Johnny Football and his entourage.

[The] 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 victim 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 (Kirk).

No one was arrested, and Gonos told USA TODAY Sports he has not decided if he wants to pursue formal charges.

“I waited in the lobby, to tell my side of the story. I stayed there, the police officers were super cool, they listened to me,” Gonos said. “I told them if they didn’t believe me, to check the tape.”

The hotel manager told police to contact the hotel’s security director to obtain security camera footage.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine on Monday afternoon said that he had not seen footage of the incident, though the Browns were “in the process of collecting information,” Pettine said.

Pettine said he spoke with Manziel about the incident, but declined to elaborate about that conversation.

“I’ve said all I’m going to say on it,” Pettine said. “We’ve issued a statement.”

Messages left for Manziel’s agent and for the manager of the hotel have not been returned.

Though Manziel was not arrested, the NFL said it would look into the incident.

“It is standard procedure for our office to look into something like this to make sure we understand the facts,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told USA TODAY Sports via email.

[sigallery id=”b5920325e047c8da7ebec7c047b92646″ title=”Johnny Manziel” type=’sigallery’]