Myles Garrett Alleges Mason Rudolph Used Racial Slur in Incident, Per Report

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett accused Mason Rudolph of using a racial slur in last week’s Thursday Night Football game during an appeals hearing with the NFL on Wednesday, according to a report from ESPN. Garrett’s accusation comes on the heels of the NFL suspending him for the remainder of the regular season and postseason after he ripped Rudolph’s helmet off him and used it as a weapon by bonking him on the noggin.

Rudolph’s attorney responded to ESPN’s report with a strong denial, calling the accusation that Rudolph used a racial slur “a lie.”

“According to ESPN, in his appeal, Myles Garrett falsely asserted that Mason Rudolph uttered a racial slur toward him, prior to swinging a helmet at Mason’s uncovered head, in a desperate attempt to mitigate his suspension,” said his attorney, Timothy Younger. “This is a lie. This false allegation was never asserted by Garrett in the aftermath of the game, never suggested prior to the hearing, and conspicuously absent in the apology published by the Browns and adopted by Garrett. The malicious use of this wild and unfounded allegation is an assault on Mason’s integrity which is far worse than the physical assault witnessed on Thursday. This is reckless and shameful. We will have no further comment.”

Rudolph on Wednesday issued an apology for his role in the incident, an odd gesture considering he was, you know, assaulted with a helmet. Video in the aftermath of the incident did show Rudolph grabbing for Garrett’s helmet before Garrett grabbed his and flung it at his head, but the timing — the same day as Garrett’s appeals hearing — was notable nonetheless. For his part, Rudolph said he could have handled the dust-up better.

“I should’ve done a better job handling that situation,” Rudolph said. “I have no ill will towards Myles Garrett. Great respect for his ability as a player. And I know that if Myles could go back, he would handle the situation differently.

“As for my involvement last week, there’s no acceptable excuse. The bottom line is I should’ve done a better job keeping my composure in that situation and [not] fall short of what I believe it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and a member of the NFL.”

In addition to Garrett’s season-long suspension, two other players, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Browns tackle Larry Ogunjobi, were suspended one game each. Rudolph was not suspended by the NFL for the incident but was fined $35,000 for his role.