Mason Rudolph Strongly Denies Latest Racial Slur Allegation by Myles Garrett

It’s the story that Mason Rudolph wishes would just go away.

In mid November, following the worst game of Mason Rudolph’s career dating back to college, injury was added to insult when an on-field scuffle turned ugly.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett put Rudolph in the dirt (a football play) and then the two hooked horns. Rudolph pulled at Garrett’s helmet. Garrett pulled off Rudolph’s, and then used it as a weapon (not a football play).

Things got even uglier when, a week later while appealing his suspension, Garrett alleged that Rudolph had used a racial slur against him which incited the violent reaction. Rudolph’s reps denied anything close to that happened and several of his teammates agreed.

Fast forward to this week. Shortly after it was announced that Garrett had been reinstated by the league, an interview with ESPN’s Mina Kimes went viral. In it Garrett again alleged that Rudolph used a racial stating that he called him a “stupid N-word.”

Rudolph was quick to respond and refute that claim on Twitter.

1000% False.

Bold-Faced Lie.

I did not, have not, and would not utter a racial-slur.

This is a disgusting and reckless attempt to assassinate my character. https://t.co/mZcEcC0tCl

— Mason Rudolph (@Rudolph2Mason) February 15, 2020

Maybe even more telling, Rudolph’s head coach Mike Tomlin — who rarely speaks during the offseason — issued a statement Saturday morning supporting his QB and rejecting Garrett’s claims.

A strong statement from #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in support of QB Mason Rudolph, in response to the Myles Garrett interview with @OTLonESPN. Tomlin cites many conversations and interactions and says he received no indication of anything racial. pic.twitter.com/je6kVOjL0I

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2020

After Garrett’s original claim in November, the NFL investigated the accusation and found no evidence that a racial slur was used. Garrett’s not buying that according to the interview.

“There were guys who were mic’d up near me, near us, during that time who didn’t hear anything,” Garrett said. “And from what I’ve heard, there (might) have been audio during that game that could have heard something or could not have heard something, but they don’t want to say.”

However, a league spokesman told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday that no sound from the field was recorded. The spokesman added that linemen are mic’d up to amplify ambient sound but that the mics do not record and are shut off after the ball is snapped.

The NFL also released a statement Saturday noting that, after checking with the officiating crew, “no player on either team came forward to say they heard (Rudolph) say it on the field.”[ESPN]

Rudolph and Garrett are probably the only two who will ever really know the truth, but it’s hard for me to believe that something like that would remain a complete secret for an entire week.