I didn't see this live, but I was alerted via social media how Cleveland DE Myles Garrett used the helmet of Steelers' QB Mason Rudolph to smack him atop the head with it. Thank God Rudolph wasn't seriously injured given the concussion he suffered just last month after a brutal hit in a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Not surprisingly, the NFL has come down with some swift and harsh punishment in the aftermath of last night's fracas.
Myles Garrett will not play again this season, and maybe longer.
The NFL announced Friday that the Cleveland Browns defensive end has been suspended for the rest of this season, including the playoffs should the Browns make it (Browns, playoffs?!?!? BWAHAHAHA!! - ed.), and will have to meet with the commissioner's office before being reinstated in 2020.
Garrett ripped the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and clubbed him in the head with it in the final seconds of Thursday night's game.
Garrett's suspension, which is at least six games, is the longest in NFL history for a single on-field incident.
In a statement, the NFL said, "Garrett violated unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules, as well as fighting, removing the helmet of an opponent and using the helmet as a weapon."
The NFL also suspended Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi one game for shoving Rudolph in the back, to the ground, shortly after Garrett had slugged the Steelers quarterback in the head with the helmet. Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey, who jumped into Garrett, kicking and punching him after Rudolph had been struck, was suspended three games.
All three players -- who were ejected from Thursday's game -- are suspended without pay and will be fined. In addition, the NFL has fined the Browns and Steelers organizations $250,000 each for the incident.
Given all we've learned about head trauma and CTE which have adversely affected active/retired NFL players, the league was left with no alternative to slapping Garrett with such a severe penalty. And kudos to Browns ownership, coaches and players (particularly QB Baker Mayfield) for not attempting to spin this by not unequivocally condemning Garrett. While it would seem to be an odd sentiment to praise such actions, the instinct of those affiliated with pro sports teams is to "have their guy's back." However, Garrett's actions were in no way excusable regardless of what Rudolph may have said or done, and Browns personnel was keenly aware of that.
While Garrett is slated to suffer some serious consequences handed down by the NFL, there is still an open possibility of Rudolph choosing to take legal action. This certainly has to be considered given if one man wielded a sizable weapon and clubbed another over the head with it while in a public place, it's at minimum assault and battery. I have to imagine the same standard would apply to what took place on the football field last evening since it was outside the realm of play.
I have a feeling this isn't the last we're hearing of this.
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