Thursday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns got violent when Myles Garrett ripped off Mason Rudolph's helmet and struck him with it. As many had suspected, the Browns defensive end has been hit with an indefinite suspension for his violent behavior, but he's not the only one.
As announced by the NFL, the Steelers and Browns have each been fined $250,000, while Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, and Maurkice Pouncey have been suspended without pay. Garrett's suspension will last indefinitely, but will remain in place for the remainder of the regular season and postseason. Additionally, Garrett "must meet with the commissioner's office prior to a decision on his reinstatement." He has been fined an undisclosed "additional amount."
Pouncey has been suspended without pay for three games alongside an additional fine for getting involved with the fight, while Ogunjobi has been suspended without pay for one game. Additional disciplinary action for other players is forthcoming.
The fight took place in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Garrett ripped off Rudolph's helmet and struck him with it, at which point Rudolph threw up his hands as Steelers linemen started to tackle, punch, and kick Garrett on the ground. He was ejected from the game alongside Larry Ogunjobi. Maurkice Pouncey, one of the Steelers who got involved in the brawl after Garrett attacked Rudolph, said he'll "accept whatever the penalty is" for his involvement and claimed he blacked out during the incident.
"I made a mistake and lost my cool and I regret it," Garrett said after the game.
His teammate Baker Mayfield made it clear the incident was a major setback for the team. "The reality is, he's gonna get suspended. We don't know how long, and that hurts our team. And we can't do that," he explained post-game. "We can't continue to hurt this team. It's inexcusable."
The Cleveland Police Department has already confirmed, via TMZ, that Garrett is not under investigation by authorities. "The person who was hit would have to file a report," Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia explained. "There is no criminal complaint filed."
Rudolph’s agent said legal repercussions are a possibility. "I am gathering all information and no options have been removed from the table," Tim Younger told. He tweeted, “There are many risks an NFL QB assumes with every snap taken on the field. Being hit on your uncovered head by a helmet being swung by a 275 lb DE is not one of them.” He also said the incident “cannot be defended by reasonable minds.”
