CLEVELAND — Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph did not escape the brawl with the Browns without reprimand.
The N.F.L. fined Rudolph $50,000 on Saturday for his involvement in the melee that began when Browns defensive end Myles Garrett pulled off Rudolph’s helmet and hit him on the head with it.
Rudolph avoided suspension for his actions — he tried to remove Garrett’s helmet then charged him before being hit. But he was one of the 33 players fined for their involvement in the altercation. The league penalized 29 players $3,507 apiece for “entering the fight area.”
The N.F.L. assessed more than $700,000 in disciplinary penalties stemming from the fight in the final seconds of Cleveland’s 21-7 win over Pittsburgh last week. There was another $77,206 levied on players for personal fouls earlier in the game.
Garrett was indefinitely suspended by the league for tearing off Rudolph’s helmet and using it “as a weapon.” His appeal was denied this week when he told James Thrash, an appeals officer, that Rudolph used a racial slur against him.
Rudolph wrestled with Garrett and unsuccessfully tried to yank off the Pro Bowler’s helmet before running after him and then being struck.
Earlier this week, Rudolph said there was “no acceptable excuse,” for his behavior. He has denied using the racial slur, and the league has found no evidence one was used.
The league also fined the Steelers and Browns $250,000 each. The A.F.C. North rivals play again Dec. 1 in Pittsburgh.
Garrett was also fined $45,623 for his shocking attack, which will cost him the rest of the regular season and playoffs if Cleveland qualifies without him. Garrett will also lose $1.14 million in game checks.
The league said Garrett must meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office before he can be reinstated.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was suspended three games and fined $35,096 for punching and kicking Garrett. The appeals officer Derrick Brooks reduced Pouncey’s ban to two games, but he’ll miss next Sunday’s game against the Browns.
Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins for shoving Rudolph to the ground. Thrash upheld Ogunjobi’s suspension but rescinded his $10,527 fine.
Source: Football - nytimes.com
