UPDATE: Myles Garrett Helmet Attack in NFL Brawl

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was hit with a record suspension by NFL chiefs on Friday after a helmet-swinging attack on an opponent that sent shockwaves rippling across America’s most popular sport.

Garrett had left fellow players, pundits and fans in stunned disbelief on Thursday after ripping the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and then smashing it into the young signal-callers exposed the head.

The incident, near the end of Cleveland’s 21-7 home victory, triggered a mass brawl that saw players from both sides trade punches and kicks.

“Tell your man to hold it for a second, c’mon.” 😂

@MylesLGarrett mic'd up vs the Bills: pic.twitter.com/5oOKQYbvjT

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 14, 2019

On Friday, the NFL issued swift punishment, handing Garrett the longest ban in the history of the sport for a single on-field incident.

The 23-year-old has been suspended for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. He must meet with NFL Commissioner Roger before any possible reinstatement.

Pittsburgh offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey has also suspended three games while Cleveland defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game.

Both the Steelers and Browns were fined $250,000 and all three players were fined an undisclosed amount.

Myles Garrett Terrible Mistake

“Last night, I made a terrible mistake,” Garrett said in a statement released by the Browns. “I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable.

“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.”

You have never lived until you have done something for someone that can never repay you. Solid work MG. Always pay it forward! pic.twitter.com/Obc3QG6soj

— Jim Walter (@jim_walter_) November 11, 2019

Garrett’s violation went beyond unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules and was punished for fighting, removing an opponent’s helmet and using the helmet as a weapon, the league said in a statement.

The Browns started their support for Garrett, coach Freddie Kitchens said it will make them stronger in time.

“He understands the magnitude of what occurred,” Kitchens said. “He’s very remorseful. He’s very sorry for his actions. He understands that he let himself down, his teammates down and his organization down.”

The game was a physical contest with several penalized blows to the head to players whistled during the game by officials and the game culminating in an all-out brawl.

“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.”

Pouncey was punished for fighting, including punching and kicking an opponent.

Ogunjobi was punished for unnecessary roughness for shoving an opposing player to the ground during an altercation.

Myles Garrett Insanity

Additional discipline will be coming for other players, including those who left the bench during the fight and potentially Rudolph for actions before he was struck.

“As an organization, we are disappointed with what occurred last night near the end of our game against the Cleveland Browns,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said.

“The actions of the players involved were not something that should be part of any football game.”

Players have three business days to appeal the punishments under the league’s collective bargaining agreement with players. All three are expected to appeal.

Thursday’s brawl was widely condemned throughout the NFL, with current and former players taking to Twitter to condemn Garrett.

“That. Is. Insanity. Wow,” was the verdict of Houston Texans star J.J. Watt.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was similarly stunned: “Bro, I can’t even believe that just happen.”

Retired Houston star receiver Andre Reed said Garrett could have killed Rudolph, adding, “In the 17 years I played in the NFL, never been more disturbed by the end of a game.”

Former Steelers defensive icon James Harrison said Garrett’s attack was “assault at the least.”

“Six months in jail on the street. now add the weapon and that’s at least a year right?!” Harrison wrote on Twitter.

Tim Younger, the agent for Rudolph, told ESPN “no options have been removed from the table” as far as legal options while Cleveland police told ESPN there is no investigation of the incident because Rudolph has not filed a complaint.

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