Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Bar Worker Sues ‘Johnny Football’ Manziel Over Punch-and-Run

A bartender’s assistant in downtown Austin, Texas, claims that embattled pro football quarterback Johnny Manziel broke his nose with a punch and then fled out the back exit before police arrived.

AUSTIN, Texas (CN) — A bartender’s assistant in downtown Austin, Texas, claims that embattled pro football quarterback Johnny Manziel broke his nose with a punch and then fled out the back exit before police arrived.

Eric Newton sued Manziel in Travis County Court on Monday.

Newton says that around 2 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2016, he was working as a bar-back in the bar New York, New York on East Sixth Street when he was approached by Manziel, who was attending a private party there.

“Mr. Manziel demanded that Mr. Newton prepare several drink orders, which Mr. Newton could not do, as he was not an actual bartender,” Newton says in his complaint.

Newton suggested that Manziel or someone from his group go to the bar downstairs for the drinks.

Trouble ensued a short time later, after Newton had a conversation with a customer, who asked him his opinion of Manziel.

“Mr. Newton gave his opinion to the customer. That conversation was overheard by someone in Mr. Manziel’s group, who immediately ran upstairs and told Mr. Manziel what had transpired. About a minute or so later, Mr. Manziel came downstairs, ran behind the bar, cursed at Mr. Newton, and punched him in the face, breaking Mr. Newton’s nose,” Newton says in the complaint.

Newton stopped the attack by grabbing Manziel, and they fell to the floor. Manziel then ran out the back staff exit before police arrived.

Newton wants Manziel to pay at least $200,000 in physical and punitive damages.

Earlier this year, Manziel was indicted by a Dallas County grand jury on an assault charge involving his ex-girlfriend. He faces up to one year in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted.

Manziel got the nickname “Johnny Football” after his successful college career at Texas A&M, where he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012.

The Cleveland Browns released Manziel this past spring. He remains without a team after being dropped by his agents, who asked that he get professional help for his personal issues.

Newton is represented by Adam Ward of Allison & Ward in Austin.

Categories / Courts, Sports

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...