Browns’ Garrett attends appeal hearing for NFL suspension
Rudolph, Ogunjobi and Pouncey also face penalties
Myles Garrett looked composed and casual, a stark contrast to the last time he was seen in public.
Stylishly dressed in a bright blue suit and black turtleneck, the Cleveland Browns’ star defensive end met Wednesday with an appeals officer in New York in hopes of getting a reduction to an indefinite National Football League suspension that has temporarily ended his season and tarnished his career.
Garrett was banned last week for the rest of the regular season and playoffs, if Cleveland makes them, for striking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with a helmet. Garrett appealed and his case was heard by league-appointed officer James Thrash, a former NFL player, who will either lessen the penalty or put a definitive number of games on it.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick spent roughly two hours in the league’s Manhattan offices before leaving with his representatives. He did not speak to the media.
In the closing seconds of the Browns’ 21-7 victory over the rival Steelers on Thursday night, Garrett wrestled Rudolph to the ground before they scuffled. Pittsburgh’s QB unsuccessfully tried to rip Garrett’s helmet off before the two got to their feet.
That’s when Garrett yanked off Rudolph’s helmet, swinging it and connecting with the top of the QB’s head. Rudolph avoided injury and was not suspended despite his attempt to grab Garrett’s helmet and charging at him.
On Wednesday, Rudolph, who likely will be fined for his involvement, said he doesn’t begrudge Garrett.
“I have no ill will toward Myles Garrett, great respect for his ability as a player and I know if
Myles could go back he would handle the situation differently,” Rudolph told reporters in Pittsburgh after reading a prepared statement.
“As for my involvement last week, there is no acceptable excuse. The bottom line is I should have done a better job keeping my composure in that situation. It falls short of what I believe it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and a member of the NFL.”
It’s unclear when Thrash will rule on Garrett’s appeal. As part of the player’s punishment, the league said Garrett is required to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell’s office before he can be reinstated.
Earlier this week, Thrash and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks heard the appeals of Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi’s one-game suspension and Steelers centre Maurkice Pouncey’s threegame ban.
Ogunjobi shoved a helmetless Rudolph to the ground during the melee, while Pouncey punched and kicked Garrett as he lay on the ground. Neither ruling has been made.
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said the team’s support for Garrett and Ogunjobi will not waver.
As Garrett pleaded his case, the Browns are trying to regroup amid the possibility they’ll be without their best defensive player for a significant period. Cleveland is still in the playoff race hunt going into Sunday’s game against Miami.
On Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the incident involving Garrett “ugly for the game of football” but said there was nothing teachable to come from it because “I don’t know that we did anything to make it happen in the first place.”
Kitchens hopes the experience will serve as a reminder for his team to stay collected.