Former Atlanta Falcons player in jail for strip club assault

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A former Atlanta Falcons player accused of assaulting a local businessman inside strip club turned himself in at the DeKalb County Jail.

Channel 2 Action News got a tip about Abraham's arrest warrant earlier this week, and obtained video showing the alleged assault inside the Pink Pony.

That video showing Abraham allegedly assault Vladimir Ako led Brookhaven police to issue an arrest warrant.

"We don't really know why John punched him," Ako's attorney Darl Champion said. "I think he was definitely stunned. I don't think he would have approached John if he thought he was going to get punched in the face like that."

Champion, who played the video for Channel 2's Aaron Diamant, says Ako and Abraham were former business partners and friends.

According to Champion, Ako had no other contact with Abraham that night, and only went up to him to say goodbye.

"I think if you look at the size of John Abraham, you know, a former NFL player, he's a very large and strong individual," Champion said. "Mr. Ako would be crazy to try to do anything to instigate with somebody like that."

An internal incident report from the Pink Pony shows Ako "was bleeding pretty good", and "John Abraham is barred... ."

Brookhaven police charged Abraham with misdemeanor battery.

Ako has filed a civil suit against Abraham.

Channel 2 Action News has not been able to make contact with Abraham for comment on this story.

WSBTV