Myles Garrett: Steelers QB used racial slur before fight
Suspended Cleveland Browns defensive star Myles Garrett accused Mason Rudolph, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, of using a racial slur during last week’s NFL contest, a game that resulted in an all-out brawl between the teams on national TV.
Garrett, according to ESPN, said Rudolph used the epithet just prior to the brawl that also led to the suspensions of two other players: Cleveland's Larry Ogunjobi and Pittsburgh's Maurkice Pouncey.
A Steelers spokesman said Rudolph “vehemently denies the report.”
The NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, looked into Garrett’s accusations and found no evidence to support them:
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league looked into Myles Garrett’s allegations that Mason Rudolph used a racial slur last Thursday night before the brawl “and found no such evidence.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2019
Cleveland was leading the division rival Steelers 21-7 on its home field at FirstEnergy Stadium. After Rudolph had completed a pass from his own goal line to running back Trey Edmunds, Garrett leveled Rudolph, ripped off the defenseless quarterback’s helmet and then struck him in the head with it.
»MORE: NFL suspends Myles Garrett, 2 others after helmet swing, brawl
Within seconds, the dead play devolved into an all-out brawl involving players from both teams.
During the melee, Ogunjobi pushed Rudolph to the ground from behind after Rudolph had been hit by Garrett; Pouncey jumped into Garrett and kicked him as Steelers teammate David DeCastro pinned Garrett to the ground.
Garrett, who has apologized and accepted responsibility for the incident, appealed his indefinite suspension to the NFL in a Wednesday hearing.
Rudolph’s attorney also denies the accusations:
— Younger & Associates/QB Limited (@YoungerAssoc) November 21, 2019
Despite Garrett’s appeal Wednesday, his suspension was upheld. Poncey’s suspension was reduced to two games.
