The NFL has said they found no evidence of a racial slur being used by Mason Rudolph before or during his fight with Myles Garrett last week, but there was no recorded audio from the incident. Instead, the league relied on cameras from the live broadcast and the game official’s recollection of what happened.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the NFL based its conclusion in part on camera angles of the altercation between Rudolph and Garrett. While interior offensive linemen wear microphones so the quarterback’s calls can be heard to enhance the broadcast, that audio is apparently used as needed during the broadcast and not recorded for later use. There was also no clear audio available from any of the FOX Sports cameras that captured the incident.
It’s unclear how camera angles without audio would help the NFL determine whether or not Rudolph used a racial slur, but Cabot also reports that league officials spoke with referee Clete Blakeman, who was in close proximity to the fight. Blakeman said he did not hear a racial slur. Blakeman didn’t appear to be all that close to Garrett and Rudolph when they first tangled up, though he was right in the mix by the time Garrett hit Rudolph over the head with a helmet.
Right here. pic.twitter.com/jadc62rUML
— Bone (@IBoyNamedSue) November 22, 2019
Basically what the situation boils down to is Garrett’s word against everyone else’s. Rudolph’s attorney unloaded on the star defensive end and accused him of lying, while no player on the Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers has said he heard Rudolph use a racial slur. Garrett stuck by his accusation in a statement he released Thursday night, though he said he wanted it to remain private.
