NFL Star Facing Punishment Over This Play

Browns' Myles Garrett smashed opponent's head with helmet
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 15, 2019 9:27 AM CST

The Cleveland Browns finally achieved two consecutive wins with Thursday's 21-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers—but as Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield notes, "it feels like we lost." Indeed, "this season is unofficially officially over" for the 4-6 Browns, whose "best player … shouldn't play again this season," according to USA Today's Nate Davis. With seconds left on the clock, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett tackled Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, ripped off his opponent's helmet, and swung it into Rudolph's head. Per CBS Sports, it was "one of the most inexplicable actions football fans will ever see." Garrett, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, was subsequently ejected along with Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, who punched and kicked Garrett in the aftermath.

The NFL is reviewing the play but almost everyone agrees Garrett will be suspended for at least two games and perhaps the six remaining in the season. It would be the longest suspension ever issued for a single on-field incident, per ESPN. But "I'm not even sure a six-game suspension is enough," Davis writes, noting the action from "a leading contender for defensive player of the year" came after two Steelers players left the game with concussions. Rudolph, who suffered a concussion six weeks ago, called the attack "cowardly." "I mean hell, he could've killed him," Pouncey tells PennLive. Teammates wouldn't even defend Garrett, who described an "out of character" mistake. "We're endangering the other team … It's inexcusable," said Mayfield. "I am embarrassed," said Browns coach Freddie Kitchens. "He hurt the team. That is all I can say." (More NFL stories.)

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