In the wake of Cleveland’s Myles Garrett ripping the helmet off of Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph and hitting him in the head with it, the 23-year-old defensive end was hit with a historic suspension by the NFL and may face additional discipline off the field.
That’s assault, Myles Garrett should not play another game this season. pic.twitter.com/rH4ko6lAdV
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) November 15, 2019
With 10 games already in the books for the 4-6 Browns, Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, has six games left to play this season. He is now out for all of them and could miss even more time, as the NFL announced Garrett has been suspended indefinitely, but at least for the rest of the season, without pay and will have to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell before he gets back on the field.
At a minimum of six games, this is the longest suspension the NFL has ever handed down for a single on-field incident, eclipsing the five games ex-Tennessee Titans lineman Albert Haynesworth received for ripping the helmet off Dallas center Andre Gurode and stomping his face in 2006.
Browns DE Myles Garrett has been suspended indefinitely.
Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi has been suspended one game. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey has been suspended three games.
In addition, Steelers and Browns organizations each fined $250,000. pic.twitter.com/tY6o5Ozjf2
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2019
In addition to the discipline Garrett is facing from the league, he may also be looking at legal consequences, as Rudolph’s representation may consider taking action against him.
“There are many risks an NFL QB assumes with every snap taken on the field,” Rudolph’s agent, Tim Younger, tweeted in the aftermath of Garrett’s attack. “Being hit on your uncovered head by a helmet being swung by a 275-lb DE is not one of them. Tonight could have had a catastrophic ending. This matter will be reviewed thoroughly.”
When reached by text message by ESPN on Friday, Younger said he was “gathering all information” and that “no options have been removed from the table.”
In addition to Garrett, suspensions were handed down for Cleveland’s Larry Ogunjobi (one game) and Pittsburgh’s Maurkice Pouncey (three games), both of whom were ejected as a result of the end-of-game chaos during the Browns’ 21-7 win. The league also fined the Steelers and Browns organizations $250,000 each.
If the NFL really wants to send a message, it’s possible Rudolph could be suspended for a game as well, since he played a part in initiating the incident by pulling on Garrett’s facemask and helmet. The league said discipline for other players is “forthcoming.”
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