Steelers' Mason Rudolph hit with helmet during ugly brawl with Browns
CLEVELAND — An ugly brawl marred the end of Thursday’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns game, and suspensions likely will be coming.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett drove Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph to the ground after a pass with 8 seconds left, and the two began wrestling. Garrett then ripped Rudolph’s helmet off and hit him in the head with it.
Rudolph called Garrett’s action “cowardly… and bush league.”
Maybe one of the ugliest moments in pro sports at #BrownsVsSteelers game as #Steelers QB #RUDOLPH got pummeled on his head by his own helmet by #browns #Garrett. #NFL #QB #BakerMayfield, in his post-game interview, says teammate #MylesGarrett's actions are "inexcusable". pic.twitter.com/fYP9KplA4c
— Doug Z. Goodstein (@dougzgoodstein) November 15, 2019
Garrett was contrite in speaking to reporters after the game, saying “It’s on me” and, “I’ll accept whatever the penalty is.” Several Browns teammates also spoke as if they are resigned to the fact that Garrett likely will be suspended. Many Steelers players openly campaigned for harsh league discipline for Garrett, too.
“Absolutely, absolutely — 100%,” Pouncey said. “We’ll see how serious the NFL is about protecting players…
“He could have killed him.”
Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi shoved Rudolph to the ground. Steelers offensive linemen Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro then wrestled Garrett to the ground as players from both teams joined the scrum. Pouncey threw punches and kicked Garrett.
Pouncey, Garrett and Ogunjobi were ejected.
Afterwards, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did not want to comment on Garrett.
Rudolph was seen jawing with Garrett after he released a pass to Trey Edmunds. Rudolph at one point is seen grabbing Garrett’s helmet.
#LIVE: Mason Rudolph addresses the media following our game against Cleveland.@budlight https://t.co/Y4bcgFkM0q
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 15, 2019
“Where did it cross the line?” Rudolph said. “When he took my helmet off and used it as a weapon.”
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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