Browns, Steelers React to Racial Slur Accusation from Garrett on Rudolph

While appealing his suspension with the NFL, Cleveland Browns defensive end added a new part to his story. Garrett defended his actions for the altercation that culminated in him hitting Mason Rudolph over the head with his own helmet, by stating that Rudolph had used a racial slur toward him before the scuffle escalated.

Once that accusation was made public, social media exploded with reactions both from inside both teams’ locker rooms and from those on the outside.

Before we get into those reactions, the NFL announced its decision to uphold all discipline despite Garrett’s appeal, while decreasing the suspension for Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey from three games to two.

Appeals officers Derrick Brooks and James Thrash, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, have reached their decisions on the discipline appeals for Myles Garrett and Maurkice Pouncey. pic.twitter.com/xfLpiHpVBc

— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) November 21, 2019

Rudolph was not available following the Steelers’ practice, but his teammate Cam Heyward was pretty outspoken in his defense of Rudolph and on the situation.

Cam Heyward says that Myles Garrett using a racial slur in his appeal is “stupid.” @937theFan pic.twitter.com/9Z07OyTrSI

— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 21, 2019

Steelers captain Cameron Heyward: “I know Mason didn’t say that.” pic.twitter.com/7pk1ss8ni8

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 21, 2019

Cam Heyward: "(Mason) is being villainized by it. He said, 'I’m going to be labeled as that.' I just don’t think that’s right. That’s my teammate. I’m going to fight for him."

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 21, 2019

Backup QB Duck Hodges said Mike Tomlin addressed the team about Myles Garrett's allegation in his appeal.

"He said, 'we know Mason didn’t say that.' And from there, he said, 'let’s get back to practice and focus on the game.'"

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 21, 2019

Alejandro Villanueva about Garrett accusing Rudolph of calling him a racial slur: "Why wasn't it said earlier? If this is a Hail Mary then he's damaging a reputation for life. It undermines the collective effort of our society to eradicate the use of that word." @TheAthleticPGH

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 21, 2019

Several of Garrett’s teammates were asked about the accusation and the reactions ranged from surprise to being unable to confirm or deny. Basically, no one else heard or would say they’d heard of Rudolph using a racial slur toward Garrett.

I asked Browns DT Sheldon Richardson if Myles Garrett had ever told him what Garrett alleged about Rudolph in the hearing. Richardson said he hadn’t and said my question was the first he’d even heard about it.

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019

Just asked Baker Mayfield about Garrett’s allegation that Rudolph used a racial slur and he seemed pretty stunned. Said wasn’t something he’d heard, including from anyone on the team, until I just asked him

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019

#Browns WR Jarvis Landry said he “didn’t hear anything” and would not comment if Garrett told him anything about a racial slur.

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) November 21, 2019

Browns LB Joe Schobert: “haven’t heard anything on that front.” Added he wasn’t close enough to the play to hear anything in real time either

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019

Browns safety Damarious Randall said he “figured there was a lot more to the story,” knowing Myles, but that he hadn’t heard about the racial slur allegation

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019

#Browns Joel Bitonio said if Myles Garrett said Rudolph used a racial slur, he believes him. Also said one of the #Steelers OL such as Pouncey was prob mic’d up

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 21, 2019

Takeaway from the #Browns locker room. If what Myles alleges did happen, either he didn’t tell teammates about it, or his teammates are pretending they don’t know anything about it (today, and really since last Thursday night). Should add, nobody saying Myles is lying, either

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019

As you can imagine, the accusation lit Twitter ablaze.

Was not on the field. But I did message a #Steelers player who was, in the immediate aftermath abt report that Mason Rudolph used a racial epithet. This player wrote back “NEVER.” And then said, if anything, Mason would’ve used b*. Which is what the video shows he called Ogunjobi

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 21, 2019

It would seem much more logical if he was the victim of a racial slur thrown his way, he would have told EVERYONE who would listen that happened rather than this.

pic.twitter.com/7K56PuniWz

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) November 21, 2019

The NFL would have had a much more difficult time throwing the book at Garrett if Garrett had said this from the beginning.

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) November 21, 2019

The NFL usually has microphones on the center, sometimes the guards, and always the QBs…this should be easy for the NFL to go back and listen to the tapes to see what Mason said. As the great Eric Steinbach used to say…”roll the tape” #MylesGarrett #masonrudolph #CLEvsPIT https://t.co/BbywxW0ip6

— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) November 21, 2019