NFL upholds Browns DE Garrett's
suspension, ending season
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[November 22, 2019]
Cleveland Browns defensive end
Myles Garrett's suspension for his role in a brawl with the
Pittsburgh Steelers last week was upheld on Thursday, ensuring he
will miss at least the rest of the 2019 season.
Appeals officer James Thrash made the ruling, which will keep
Garrett out of Cleveland's final six regular-season games and any
postseason games -- if the Browns qualify -- before having to apply
for reinstatement from commissioner Roger Goodell in 2020.
In a statement released Thursday, the league also announced that
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey's three-game suspension was reduced
to two games. Appeals officer Derrick Brooks ruled on Pouncey, who
will miss Sunday's contest at Cincinnati and a Week 13 rematch with
the Browns.
In addition to forfeited game checks during their suspensions,
Garrett will be fined $45,623, and Pouncey will be fined $35,096.
Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi's one-game suspension was
upheld a day earlier, though his fine was dropped.
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The brawl began in the waning seconds of the Browns' win last week,
when Garrett got into a scrap with Steelers quarterback Mason
Rudolph, removed the QB's helmet and struck Rudolph's unprotected
head with it. Pouncey then jumped on Garrett and threw several
punches and kicks, and Ogunjobi shoved Rudolph from behind.
ESPN reported earlier Thursday that Garrett said at his appeal
hearing that Rudolph used a racial slur prior to the melee.
Garrett's hearing, which was held Wednesday in New York, reportedly
lasted less than two hours.
Through the team and his lawyer, Rudolph strongly denied Garrett's
accusation. His media session scheduled for Thursday was canceled.
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![](../images/112219PIX/sports43.jpg)
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) walks off the field after
hitting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) with his
own helmet during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Pro Football Talk later Thursday
that the league "looked into it and found no such evidence."
It is not known if on-field microphones caught any exchange between
the players. Teams typically have a microphone in the shoulder pads
of the center or guards, allowing for audio of the quarterback's
cadence on a broadcast.
Per ESPN's Jake Trotter, multiple Browns said Thursday that it was
the first they had heard about the accusation of a racial slur.
Rudolph is expected to be fined for his involvement in the scuffle.
He appeared to grab at Garrett's helmet and facemask while the two
scrapped on the turf.
Garrett, 23, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. He has
30.5 career sacks in 37 games, including 10 through 10 games this
season.
--Field Level Media
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