Myles Garrett is now claiming that Mason Rudolph called him a racial slur prior to Garrett hitting the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback over the head with a helmet last week, and Rudolph is vehemently denying the allegation.
Garrett had an appeal hearing of his indefinite suspension with the NFL on Wednesday, and ESPN is reporting that he told officials he lost his cool because Rudolph used a racial slur. Immediately after the report came out, Rudolph’s attorney Tim Younger issued a statement calling the allegation “shameful” and a “desperate attempt to mitigate his suspension.”
— Younger & Associates/QB Limited (@YoungerAssoc) November 21, 2019
Younger said the assertion that Rudolph used racist language is a worse assault than Garrett clubbing Rudolph in the head with a helmet. The Steelers also issued a statement denying the accusation on Rudolph’s behalf.
“Mason vehemently denies the report of being accused of using a racial slur during the incident Thursday night in Cleveland,” team spokesman Burt Lauten said. “He will not discuss this accusation any further and his focus remains on preparation for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.”
Garrett called his actions “embarrassing” after the fight last Thursday, but he said he was not going to comment on whether or not Rudolph said something that set him off. There was no indication from him or any other Browns player that Rudolph made a racist remark. You have to think Baker Mayfield and others on the Cleveland side would have had a much different take on the altercation if Rudolph said something racist.
