Browns star hits Steelers quarterback with helmet, sparks brawl
Update: Myles Garrett has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett could be facing an unprecedented league suspension for his violent outburst Thursday night, when he ripped off Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph's helmet and clubbed him on the head during the final seconds of Cleveland's 21-7 win.
Garrett's shocking actions on national TV will come with a price. It's possible the league could come down hard on the former No. 1 overall pick, who made strides in cleaning up his game after picking up some personal fouls earlier this season.
Cleveland police said no criminal charges have been filed against Garrett, CBS affiliate WOIO reported Friday. According to a Cleveland Division of Police spokesperson, Rudolph did not file a police report against Garrett for the incident.
Following the game, Garrett was contrite, but the damage was already done. "What I did was foolish, and I shouldn't have allowed myself to slip like that," Garrett said softly. "It's out of character."
It's now out of his hands, and it's possible the league could end Garrett's season by docking him the final six games.
In 2006, Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth was suspended five games after he stomped on Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode's head. Haynesworth's punishment is the longest for on-field behavior in league history.
After pulling Rudolph down with eight seconds to go following a short pass, Garrett wrestled with Pittsburgh's QB on the ground with both players grabbing at each other's heads. When they got to their feet, Garrett ripped off Rudolph's helmet and swung wildly, hitting the second-year QB on top of the head.
Garrett was thrown to the ground by Steelers guard David DeCastro and center Maurkice Pouncey threw punches and kicked Garrett in the head as players from both sidelines poured onto the field in a scene that goes to the top of the list of skirmishes in the bitter Pittsburgh-Cleveland rivalry.
The Steelers were livid about Garrett's conduct.
"I don't know how he got to the point that it's OK to use a helmet as a weapon," said Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "I know we play a sport that's violent, but it should never have gotten handled like that. That dumb stuff shouldn't be allowed. For someone to use a helmet as a weapon is uncalled for."
Garrett, Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were ejected and all face league discipline. Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said Garrett apologized to him and the defensive end said he intends to talk to his teammates.
"The next time I see them, I'll address them," he said. "I am hurting my whole team with what I did,