Cleveland Browns expect NFL involvement in Johnny Manziel issue

BEREA, Ohio -- Quarterback Johnny Manziel, praised for months for being a changed man after spending 70 days in rehab over the winter, could face discipline from the NFL if found to be in violation of the personal conduct policy during last week's traffic stop.

Manziel was stopped by police in a traffic incident last week and now faces discipline from the Cleveland Browns and possibly the NFL.

Manziel was arguing with his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, who accused him of hitting her "a couple times."

Manziel admitted to drinking, but the police determined he was not intoxicated. No charges were filed, but the incident is a concern to the Browns because partying last year is what led Manziel to check himself into the rehab unit in Pennsylvania in late January.

"The league gets involved when there are cases like this," head coach Mike Pettine said on Monday. "I don't know what their timetable is. I don't know the specifics, but as with anything that comes up, there's a reporting process you go through. I'm not privy to what their details are as far as timetable."

When the Oct. 12 traffic stop was made public on Oct. 16, Browns general manager Ray Farmer issued the standard, "We're aware of the situation. We take it seriously. We have no other comment at this time" statement.

Pettine on Monday would not reveal what if any punishment the Browns plan for Manziel. The Browns made him part of the active roster for the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but Pettine said that should not be interpreted to mean the Browns are dismissing the incident.

"There's accountability," Pettine said. "Some accountability is public, some of it's private. If you think that we're just turning a cheek to this and ignoring it, you'd be dead wrong."

Manziel used Twitter to downplay the incident.

"Colleen and I got into a dumb public argument on the way home Monday (Oct. 12) afternoon," Manziel tweeted. "It probably looked more interesting than it was and I know I would stop and check if I saw a couple arguing on the side of the road. It was embarrassing but not serious.

"When we talked to the police and they realized everything was alright and I was sober, we went home together and everything is fine."