Why Myles Garrett is lying about ‘racial slur’ from Steelers QB Mason Rudolph
By Tommy Jaggi
Suspended Browns defensive end Myles Garrett claimed in a statement that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph uttered a ‘racial slur’ at him. Here’s why his claim is being debunked.
Yesterday, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett attempted to appeal their suspensions. As you know, Garrett was handed an indefinite suspension for clubbing Mason Rudolph in the head with his own helmet, and Pouncey was initially given three games for punching and kicking Garrett in retaliation.
While Pouncey was able to get his suspension reduced, Garrett wasn’t so fortunate. Now, the Browns star pass rusher is starting to make a fool out of himself. In one last-ditch effort to justify his senseless actions against Rudolph on Thursday Night Football, Garrett now came out with a claim that the Steelers quarterback uttered a ‘racial slur’ at him just before he decided to swing the helmet that connected with Rudolph’s head.
Here’s what Adam Schefter of ESPN had to say:
In an appeal with the NFL, Browns’ DE Myles Garrett alleged that Mason Rudolph called him a racial slur prior to last week's brawl on Thursday Night Football, sources told ESPN's Josina Anderson and me, an accusation the Steelers’ QB strongly denies.https://t.co/NUQfAJdo6B
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2019
For many reasons, fans, players, and analysts alike are calling Garrett’s statement bogus. The world is hearing this wild accusation for the first time exactly a week after the incident. The claim of a racial slur was never mentioned in Garrett’s initial statement, and his teammates didn’t even know about it.
If what Garrett said was true, wouldn’t it have been exposed to the public sooner than seven days after the incident? Ironically, this statement appears to come as a desperation effort to clear his name and reduce his suspension.
Here were some of the reactions from other writers and radio personalities who cover the Steelers and the Browns:
Steelers captain Cameron Heyward: “I know Mason didn’t say that.” pic.twitter.com/7pk1ss8ni8
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 21, 2019
Matt Feiler, who was in the scrum with a Rudolph and Garrett, said he heard no racial slur uttered during the incident. “Mason’s not that kind of guy,” he said.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 21, 2019
If the NFL can't find a player, ref, any audio to backup Myles Garrett racial slur claim, not only should they uphold his suspension, they should add to it.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 21, 2019
I asked Browns DT Sheldon Richardson if Myles Garrett had ever told him what Garrett alleged about Rudolph in the hearing. Richardson said he hadn’t and said my question was the first he’d even heard about it.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019
This was Myles Garrett 6 days ago. pic.twitter.com/wLAVmBGdEx
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) November 21, 2019
If Mason Rudolph had used a racial slur against Myles Garrett, wouldn’t that have been the first thing he said after the game? Seriously. And people believe this stuff? #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 21, 2019
Mason Rudolph will not talk today but his teammates aren’t happy with the news. Calling it bogus.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 21, 2019
Just asked Baker Mayfield about Garrett’s allegation that Rudolph used a racial slur and he seemed pretty stunned. Said wasn’t something he’d heard, including from anyone on the team, until I just asked him
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019
Mason Rudolph’s attorney, Timothy M. Younger, now has responded to Myles Garrett’s accusations: pic.twitter.com/aQj5FxW2cq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2019
Clearly, Garrett has a lot of evidence stacked up against him now. While we don’t know exactly what was said during the scrum between Garrett and Rudolph, we can assume (based on everything we have heard) that there was no racial slur involved.
Garrett’s claims did not have the effect he was hoping for. Instead of successfully passing the blame on Rudolph, justifying his actions, and getting his suspension reduced, the star pass rusher has never looked more foolish than he does right now.
Next. Sheldon Richardson: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph was ‘asking for it’. dark
Myles Garrett is a terrific football player who has a chance to be one of the best defenders in the league for a very long time. Unfortunately for him, his careless and false accusations on his appeal statement could scar his reputation as we move forward from this incident.