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NFL bans Myles Garrett for season, fines Browns and Steelers $250K each

The league also issued suspensions for Steelers offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.

By Alex Butler
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman David DeCastro (66) tackles Cleveland Browns defender Myles Garrett (L) after he swung a helmet and hit Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (C) in the head in the final seconds of a game Thursday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
1 of 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman David DeCastro (66) tackles Cleveland Browns defender Myles Garrett (L) after he swung a helmet and hit Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (C) in the head in the final seconds of a game Thursday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The NFL suspended Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett for at least the remainder of the season Friday, highlighting a series of punishments following an on-field brawl on Thursday Night Football.

Garrett struck Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with his own helmet in the final seconds of the game Thursday in Cleveland, sparking a melee between players from both teams.

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The league fined each team $250,000 and also suspended Steelers offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.

Pouncey received a three-game ban while Ogunjobi was barred for one game. All of the suspensions are without pay. Each player also was fined an undisclosed amount.

The NFL released a statement saying Garrett's suspension is "at a minimum for the remainder of the regular season and postseason." Garrett must meet with the commissioner's office prior to a decision on his reinstatement into the NFL.

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"We are extremely disappointed in what transpired last evening at the end of our game," Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement.

"There is no place for that in football and that is not reflective of the core values we strive for as an organization. We sincerely apologize to Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Myles Garrett has been a good teammate and member of our organization and community for the last three years but his actions last night were completely unacceptable. We understand the consequences from the league for his actions."

In addition to the announced disciplinary measures, the league said it will discipline other players involved in the sequence, including those who left the bench to enter the fight area. Garrett said he lost his "cool" when he met with reporters after the game.

"Last night, I made a terrible mistake," Garrett said in a statement Friday. "I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward.

"I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so."

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The melee marred the Browns' 21-7 win. Pittsburgh lined up for a third-and-29 play from its own 17-yard line at the start of the sequence. Rudolph dropped back in the pocket and threw a short pass to his left, and was tackled by Garrett.

Garrett and Rudolph got into a shoving match as they fell to the ground. Garrett then pulled off Rudolph's helmet. Steelers offensive lineman David DeCastro pushed Garrett away from Rudolph, but the Steelers quarterback continued to pursue the 6-foot-4, 272-pound defender. Garrett then swung the helmet and hit Rudolph in the head.

DeCastro and several Steelers offensive linemen responded by taking Garrett to the ground. Pouncey punched Garrett and kicked him in the head while he was on the ground.

Ogunjobi flew into the skirmish and knocked Rudolph back on the ground. Garrett, Ogunjobi and Pouncey were all ejected.

"I thought it was cowardly and bush league," Rudolph said of Garrett's hit. "There is plenty of tape out there to watch."

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Rudolph -- who is playing in place of injured Steelers starter Ben Roethlisberger -- referred to Garrett as a bully after the loss. The Steelers quarterback said he feels "good to go," despite taking the helmet to the head.

Rudolph sustained a concussion in October after taking a hit to the head and laying motionless on the field before he exited the game. He missed the Steelers' Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Chargers as a result of the hit.

"That is not who Myles wants to be," Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens said. "That is not who we are going to be. You have to be able to maintain your composure in times like that and under no circumstances do we want anything to do with anything like that.

"I am embarrassed. Myles is embarrassed. It is not good. He understands what he did, he understands it is totally unacceptable, and we have to get through it."

Social media backlash from current and former players, fans and media personalities called for strict punishment for Garrett. Rudolph's agent Timothy Younger also responded to the altercation.

"There are many risks an NFL QB assumes with every snap taken on the field," civil litigation firm Younger & Associates tweeted Friday. "Being hit on your uncovered head by a helmet being swung by a 275-pound defensive end is not one of them. [Thursday's game] could have had a catastrophic ending. The matter will be reviewed thoroughly."

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Garrett has never been suspended, but had been fined more than $42,000 for two hits on New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian in September. He also was fined for a Week 1 hit on Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft made the Pro Bowl in 2018 after making 13.5 sacks in 16 starts. Garrett, 23, had 10 sacks in 10 starts this season.

The Browns and Steelers face off again Dec. 1 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

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