UPDATED 11/15, 7:45 p.m. ET: Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph reportedly won't pursue legal action against Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
Though many people have encouraged Rudolph to file criminal charges against Garret, sources tell Ian Rapoport that the QB is leaving the situation in the NFL's hands.
See original story below.
Thursday night's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns turned ugly.
In the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Cleveland's Myles Garrett ripped off the helmet of Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph, and then used it to strike him in the head. Rudolph then threw his hands up as the Steelers linemen proceeded to tackle, punch, and kick Garrett. Rudolph looked like he was trying to rip off Garrett's helmet while they were on the ground before controversy-causing hit.
The defensive end was ejected from the game along with Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield was decidedly critical of Garrett in the post-game interview.
"The reality is, he's gonna get suspended. We don't know how long, and that hurts our team. And we can't do that," Mayfield said. "We can't continue to hurt this team. It's inexcusable."
Rudolph’s agent said legal repercussions are a possibility. "I am gathering all information and no options have been removed from the table," Tim Younger texted ESPN. On Twitter, the agent wrote, “There are many risks an NFL QB assumes with every snap taken on the field. Being hit on your uncovered head by a helmet being swung by a 275 lb DE is not one of them.” He also said the incident “cannot be defended by reasonable minds.”
Fans expressed outrage over Garrett's attack: Troy Aikman called it "barbaric" and TV announcer Joe Buck claimed it was "one of the worst things [he's] ever seen on a professional sports field." Many viewers and commentators agreed, with a contingent calling for Garrett to be suspended or even banned from the league.
You can read reactions to the brawl below.
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Garrett didn't give an excuse for his actions when he was asked about them by reporters in the locker room. "I made a mistake and lost my cool and I regret it," he said.
