Myles Garrett used every defense possible at his appeals hearing Wednesday for his suspension from the NFL for attempting to bludgeon Mason Rudolph with his own helmet.
Apparently, that also included Garrett, who is black, saying Rudolph, who is white, used a racial slur against him, per ESPN reports.
Rudolph refused to speak with reporters about the allegations but has strongly denied the accusation with his teammates, the team and through his agent.
"According to ESPN, in his appeal, Myles Garrett falsely asserted that Mason Rudolph uttered a racial slur toward him, prior to swinging a helmet at Mason's uncovered head, in a desperate attempt to mitigate his suspension," Rudolph's attorney, Timothy M. Younger, wrote in a statement. "This is a lie. This false allegation was never asserted by Garrett in the aftermath of the game, never suggested prior to the hearing, and conspicuously absent in the apology published by the Browns and adopted by Garrett.
"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. This is reckless and shameful."
The Steelers released a statement, as well.
"Mason vehemently denies the report of being accused of using a racial slur during the incident Thursday night in Cleveland," Steelers spokesman 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."
Early Thursday evening, Garrett issued his own statement on Twitter standing by his accusation against Rudolph: "I was assured that the hearing was space that afforded the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about the incident that led to my suspension. This was not meant for public dissemination, nor was it a convenient attempt to justify my actions or restore my image in the eyes of those I disappointed.
"I know what I heard. Whether my opponent's comment was born out of frustration or ignorance, I cannot say. But his actions do not excuse my lack of restraint in the moment, and I truly regret the impact this has had on the league, the Browns and our devoted fans."
Garrett was suspended by the NFL last Friday for ripping the helmet off Rudolph in the closing moments of the Browns' 21-7 victory over the Steelers in Cleveland. The two briefly scuffled on the ground on the Steelers' final offensive play when Garrett took Rudolph to the ground after he had released a pass.
Rudolph briefly grabbed the back of Garrett's helmet, then Garrett ripped the helmet from Rudolph's head. Guard David DeCastro got between the two, but Garrett swung the helmet at Rudolph, hitting him with it in the top of the head. Center Maurkice Pouncey and DeCastro then took Garrett to the ground, with Pouncey punching him several times and kicking him in the head.
Garrett was suspended indefinitely, Pouncey three games and Browns defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi one game for shoving Rudolph to the ground from behind during the incident. Garrett's suspension was upheld by the league Thursday, while Pouncey's was reduced from three to two games.
Rudolph's teammates were largely quiet about the incident on Thursday, learning about it just before they took the field Thursday for part of their preparations to play the Bengals Sunday in Cincinnati.
But team captain Cam Heyward was outspoken regarding the allegations.
"There were mistakes made on both sides, but I don't ever think there was a racial slur, personally. It was heat of the moment. Guys made mistakes, but we're not going to make up stuff," Heyward said. "It would have been brought up right after. There would have been multiple guys speaking up about it. I don't condone racial slurs ever. Mason dealing with that, he's going to be labeled. I don't appreciate that."
Heyward said he spoke with several players, including Rudolph, in the aftermath of the incident and nothing about a racial slur was ever mentioned.
"We found out today. There was no talk that he had said it," Heyward said. "(Maurkice) Pouncey didn't say it. Dave (DeCastro) didn't bring it up. I asked Mason right after the game, how did it happen? How did it escalate that fast? He did not bring that up once.
"He was talking right before practice. Mason's not going to talk about it. He said, 'I'm going to be labeled as that. I just don't think that's right.' I'm going to fight for him. I'm going to do what's best for him. That kid made a bad mistake, but he never crossed the line when you're talking about racial slurs."
It's an accusation taken very seriously in the Steelers' locker room, where 70 percent of the players are racial minorities.
How serious?
"Very serious. We have a brotherhood in this league and we all respect this league," Heyward said. "To use that as your appeal and think that's OK? One action doesn't deserve another. I know Mason didn't say it. Mason told me he did not say it."
