Update (November 21, 2019): Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has alleged that Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Mason Rudolph directed a racial epithet toward him prior to their on-field altercation last week, Heavy reports.

Rudolph was apparently upset when Garrett tackled him during a routine pass and proceeded to punch him in the helmet and hit him in the crotch. Garrett responded by taking off Rudolph's helmet and hitting him with it. As a result, Garrett, who issued an apology after striking the quarterback, was suspended indefinitely, which he is arguing is unfair.

During a Wednesday appeal hearing for the suspension, Garrett claimed Rudolph called him a racial slur which led to the dispute, reports ESPN.

The Steelers are refuting the claim.

“Mason vehemently denies the report of being accused of using a racial slur during the incident Thursday night in Cleveland,” team spokesperson Burt Lauten said in a statement. “He will not discuss this accusation any further and his focus remains on preparation for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.”

Rudolph as well as his lawyer, Timothy M. Younger also denied the allegation.

Mason Rudolph’s agent with a strong response here. Calls “the malicious use” of the allegation worse than the “physical assault." https://t.co/Ap7Spac0jz

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019

"The malicious use of this wild and unfounded allegation is an assault on Mason's integrity which is far worse than the physical assault witnessed on Thursday," Younger said, in part, in the statement. "This is reckless and shameful. We will have no further comment."

The repercussions of last Thursday's physical dispute caused dissension on Twitter where some felt as if the NFL was being discriminatory in their discipline. A number of people believed Rudolph should have been suspended as well and that the league as well as media only focused on Garrett's role in the fight.

The slur Rudolph allegedly used against Garrett is not yet publicly known.

Original story (November 18, 2019): Black NFL fans took their fury out on Twitter Friday afternoon when it was announced that Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and other Black players were being suspended. The players were handed a suspension after a fight ended Thursday night's football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The altercation started with just eight seconds left in the 4th quarter with the Browns winning 21-7. During a routine pass play, Garrett slammed Steelers' quarterback Mason Rudolph into the ground, infuriating him.

At the end of the play, Rudolph punched Garrett in the helmet before trying to rip it off his head. As they tussle, Rudolph stomps on Garrett's crotch, enraging him further. However, unfortunately for Garrett, the part of the fight that got the most play on ESPN and other sports outlets was the end of the fight, which showed him ripping off Rudolph's helmet and swinging it at his head.

This led to a much larger fight that was eventually broken up, but before it was morning, Garrett was public enemy number one. The morning shows had both Black and white commentators bashing Garrett and going so far as to say he should be arrested for attempted murder.

Comments surrounding how Garrett should be punished fueled hysteria on Twitter. The NFL ultimately decided to ban Garrett from playing indefinitely and gave Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi a one-game suspension. Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey received a three-game suspension.

Despite starting the fight, Rudolph received no suspension at all and was showered in love and concern by NFL players, analysts and fans who only saw the end of the fight. Rudolph's agent has even implied that he may press charges against Garrett, according to ESPN. He then made that threat public on Twitter.

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. Tonight could have had a catastrophic ending. The matter will be reviewed thoroughly.

— Younger & Associates/QB Limited (@YoungerAssoc) November 15, 2019

Cleveland Police Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia had to come out and tell reporters that the city would not be investigating the incident at all. After the NFL's decision was handed down, the owner of the Browns, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, issued a fawning statement apologizing to Rudolph.

"We are extremely disappointed in what transpired last evening at the end of our game. 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," the statement read.

The initial responses online were heavily in Rudolph's favor, but as Friday rolled around and more people watched the full video, the tide turned against him. People were also furious at the media coverage that painted Garrett as a criminal for something that happens repeatedly on most Sundays.

View this post on Instagram

I promise my next post is going to be about my Clippers ???? but damn this Miles Garrett story is fascinating. My satellites are telling me this is why Miles Garrett got medieval on Mason Rudolph’s ass, in addition to Rudolph trying to rip off his helmet! Mason, you ain’t slick! Not going to let them demonize my D-Line brethren Garrett without a balanced conversation! ???? Now, can someone please justify these pics to me? ???? #dontstartnonewontbenone

A post shared by Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) on Nov 15, 2019 at 11:32am PST

People calling for Myles Garrett to be arrested is rooted in anti Black racism. You’ve never seen a white hockey player get in a fight and then fans call for the arrest of the athlete. A white pitcher can throw a fastball at a batters head and might not even be ejected.

— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) November 15, 2019

Max Kellerman is speaking facts & y’all hate it. Every action has a reaction.

Rudolph tries to pull Myles helmet off and kicks him in the nuts = He gets his own helmet ripped off.

Mason Rudolph charges at Garrett after the play is over = Mason gets hit in the head with helmet.

— Benji From Fisk (@NubianKingBenji) November 15, 2019

Max Kellerman and Damien Woody get heated on First Take after Kellerman says Mason Rudolph instigated and pursued fight with Myles Garrett pic.twitter.com/hno6wBF62i

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) November 15, 2019

2. Mason Rudolph first tried to take the helmet off of Myles Garrett.

It’s outrageous that in ALL of this that Mason Rudolph wasn’t suspended a single game. pic.twitter.com/2hijGMo7XC

— Shaun King (@shaunking) November 15, 2019

There’s not a lot of space left for nuance on Twitter. But Myles Garrett was absolutely wrong. However he wasn’t the only one. Mason Rudolph def instigated. Both things can be true. And that doesn’t excuse Myles Garrett. It’s just what happened.

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) November 15, 2019

I am not defending Myles Garrett’s decision. I’m not even saying Rudolph deserves near as much punishment as Myles.

I am telling you that for Mason Rudolph to take zero accountability for his role in escalating a conflict and pretend he is 100% innocent is asinine.

— Jay Arnold (@JArnoldTAMU85) November 15, 2019

Garrett released an apology, admitting he "made a terrible mistake."

"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," he said.

The Browns released a statement from Myles Garrett:

(via @Browns) pic.twitter.com/wS0769bXxo

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 15, 2019

"What I did was foolish, and I shouldn't allow myself to slip like that. That's out of character, but a situation like that where it's an emotional game, and I allowed myself to fall into those emotions with what happened," Garrett told reporters after the game.

The Browns and Steelers have another game against each other on December 1 in Pittsburgh. Garrett said he plans to appeal the suspension. He will also reportedly lose at least $1.139 million during the time he's out, according to ESPN.

Myles-Garrett

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