Is the NFL in trouble with Garrett's appeal looming?
Cleveland’s defensive end Myles Garrett will appear in New York today to appeal indefinite suspension with appeals officer James Thrash.
With seconds left in a Thursday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, a brawl ensued between the two teams with Garrett and Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph wrapped up on the ground and ending with Garrett swinging and hitting Rudolph on the head with his own helmet.
Video from Nick Cunfer
Within 12 hours a number of suspensions and fines were handed out to both teams, Garrett and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi each received a suspension, Garrett obviously longer than Ogunjobi, for their roles in the melee while Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey received a three-game suspension for his retaliation to the helmet hit. Both organizations were fined $250,000 and about ten different players between both teams received fines for leaving the bench. Among those who were fined was Rudolph who did not receive a suspension for his involvement. Garrett took accountability for his actions, calling them “foolish.”
With the facts of this case out there along with the repercussions, it is time to breakdown what happened during this brawl. In no way am I condemning Garrett’s actions, they were inexcusable and could have caused severe harm to Rudolph, but he is not alone in receiving the blame for this melee. Rudolph initiated the fight, he attempted to kick Garrett in the groin and tried to rip off his helmet first, see below.
Then after getting his helmet snatched off by Garrett who was being restrained by Steelers offensive linemen, Rudolph charged after Garrett attempting to fight more. Then came the helmet swing.
Again I’m not saying Garrett was in the right, but for analysts and former players to say Garrett “assaulted” Rudolph is absurd much like the QB not receiving a suspension for his role, the player that instigated the whole fight. Garrett deserves the brunt of the blame absolutely, but for the quarterback to take no accountability and the NFL copying that tone with no game suspensions is a bad look for both. Rodolph post-game criticized Garrett, calling his play “cowardly and bush league.” Here is a clip of his comments.
Browns defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said of the incident that Garrett was defending himself from Rudolph. “You can't antagonize a fight and then claim bullying...you get what's coming to you," Richardson said. "Of course Myles overreacted…he was protecting himself. I don't blame him. Guy keeps rushing me, even with the helmet off, he's asking for it. Just leave it at that."
Now as far as the other players that are involved, Pouncey, with him being completely justified for his actions, needed to get suspended. The bond that the offensive lineman has with their quarterback has been spoken about many times in high regard. They will protect their guy to whatever means and it showed in this situation. Pouncey just saw his guy get clocked with a helmet to the head, he went to retaliate as any good teammate would. But his fellow offensive lineman David DeCastro who was involved in the wrestling on the ground didn’t react that way and therefore wasn’t suspended. He played a more peacekeeper/protector role on restraining Garrett on the ground while Pouncey came in the situation throwing blows and also kicking Garrett while he is on the ground. You can’t have that in the NFL no matter how justified he is. On the other side, Ogunjobi looks like a coward and deserves his suspension for pushing Rudolph to the ground with such force from behind.
pic by ABC7 News
It’s important to understand the optics of this whole situation from all parties involved. You have a white male at quarterback being struck with a “weapon” by a much-bigger black male. The two responsible for the fight, only one of them received a suspension, that being the black player. Athletes already have an “aggressive” stereotype against them, black players, more than white players. You had reporters playing this concept up by asking Garrett’s teammates and coaches does he have any anger management issues before, while players like Richie Incognito dealt with multiple suspensions before people questioned his character. Then you have the NFL who is trying to protect themselves from concussions and their sport being seen as too violent, has a player being struck by a helmet in the head. Is it criminal behavior or not is up to the masses to decide, but remember that Rudolph was the aggressor and was not seriously harmed. The black player will automatically be looked at as the aggressor and lost control and the white player is playing the victim. The NFL is playing into this by not suspending Rudolph for his actions as well.
The NFL has to make all parties accountable for their actions or we could have another non-football issue being talked about during the NFL season, its 100th celebration at that.
