CLEVELAND — Hours after he swung a helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett learned his 2019 season is now over.
On Friday, the NFL announced that Garrett has been suspended indefinitely — and at a minimum, for the 2019 regular season and postseason — for his role at the center of the fight between the Browns and Steelers on Thursday night. In addition to Garrett, Cleveland defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game and Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey was suspended three games for their roles in the fight, while both teams were fined $250,000.
Shortly after the NFL announced its punishments, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam issued the following statement:
“We are extremely disappointed in what transpired last evening at the end of our game. There is no place for that in football and that is not reflective of the core values we strive for as an organization. We sincerely apologize to Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Myles Garrett has been a good teammate and member of our organization and community for the last three years but his actions last night were completely unacceptable. We understand the consequences from the league for his actions.”
Myles Garrett, defensive end de los Browns de Cleveland, usa el casco de Mason Rudolph, de los Steelers de Pittsburgh, para golpearlo al final del partido del jueves 14 de noviembre de 2019 (AP Foto/David Richard)
AP
Thursday’s season-altering brawl began as Garrett tackled Rudolph to the ground in the closing seconds of the Browns’ 21-17 win. As the two arose after becoming entangled, the altercation only escalated, with Garrett eventually removing Rudolph’s helmet before striking him in the head with it.
From there, Pouncey tackled Garrett to the ground and repeatedly stomped at him, while Ogunjobi rushed in and shoved Rudolph to the ground. Garrett, Ogunjobi and Pouncey were each ejected from the contest for their roles in the fight.
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