Long before Myles Garrett signed a record-breaking contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, he was responsible for one of the ugliest moments seen on the football field.
The star defensive end sparked a massive brawl in Week 11 of the 2019 NFL season, when he pulled Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph to the ground following a late hit.
Garrett was responsible for one of the NFL’s most shocking on-field moments
With just eight seconds left in the fourth quarter, the pair were seen scuffling on the turf, before getting back to their feet.
Rudolph had attempted to kick Garrett, now one of the NFL’s highest-paid non-QBs, and rip off his helmet.
But as the incident unfolded, it was the Pittsburgh QB who saw his own headgear forcibly removed.
As Steelers linemen tried to separate the two players as they backed into the endzone, Garrett committed the closest thing seen to an on-field crime in the modern era of pro-football.
He swung Rudolph’s helmet at him, striking the quarterback in the head.
A big fight broke out, and Garrett, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were all ejected.
The shocking helmet swing sent shock-waves through the NFL, and led to Cleveland’s superstar facing serious repercussions.
What punishment did Myles Garrett face for helmet swing incident?
Garrett’s actions were immediately questioned by members of the press, football fans and even his own teammates.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield called the incident ‘inexcusable’ and head coach Freddie Kitchens expressed embarrassment.
“I’ve never seen that in my life,” Kitchens said.
Garrett caught Rudolph on the head with a shocking swing
The Browns star was suspended for the remaining six games of the 2019 season
Garrett was reinstated by the NFL in February 2020 after losing $1.2m
Both teams were also fined $250k for the brawl that followed the helmet swing
“It’s not good.”
Rudolph, who was hit by the helmet, described his opponent’s actions as ‘pretty cowardly’.
In the days that followed the game, Garrett was ‘suspended indefinitely’ by the NFL.
He was banned for the remaining six games of the 2019 season, and was not paid during that time.
Garrett was also fined $45,623 on top of the $1.2 million in salary he lost for the incident and suspension.
Both organizations were fined $250,000 each and in the weeks that followed, Cleveland’s defense suffered without their suspended star — the team limped to a 6-10 finish that year.
Without Garrett, the Browns limped to a 6-10 finish in 2019
Garrett’s return was left to the discretion of NFL officials, with the league confirming in February 2020 that he had been reinstated.
“We welcome Myles back to our organization with open arms,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at the time.
“We know he is grateful to be reinstated, eager to put the past behind him and continue to evolve and grow as a leader.
“We look forward to having his strong positive presence back as a teammate, player and person in our community.”
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Garrett’s punishment was the second-longest suspension for on-field misconduct in NFL history, and the longest for a single incident.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict was suspended for 12 games the same year, due to a history of violations of player safety.
Why did Garrett swing a helmet at Rudolph?
Garrett initially appealed his suspension, and ESPN reported at the time that he had told NFL officials the helmet swing was fueled by Rudolph’s alleged use of a racial slur.
After being reinstated, the star reiterated that claim, and said he discussed the alleged slur immediately after the altercation with former Browns general manager John Dorsey, head coach Kitchens, and Ogunjobi.
Dorsey and Ogunjobi confirmed Garrett’s claim, and he asked the NFL to check on-field audio of the incident.
However, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said there were no recordings, and therefore they ‘found no such evidence’ to support the claim.
Nearly 12 months on from the brawl, Garrett insisted he had ‘gotten over’ the incident ahead of a rematch in Pittsburgh.
He insisted: “Their head coach said they’re past it. We’re past it as a team. We’re ready to go out there and play ball.”
Garrett has gone on to sign a record contract extension with the Browns
The Browns will meet the Steelers twice in 2025, and the incident is now ancient history.
Ahead of those battles, Garrett will expect to suit up at some point in the coming weeks for preseason, as Cleveland and their recently-paid $160 million star look to improve on a 3-14 finish last time around.
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