Rudolph Denies Garrett’s ‘Racial Slur’ Accusation

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is denying an anonymous report that he used a racial slur before his confrontation with suspended Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. ESPN, using anonymous sources, reported that Garrett told the NFL that Rudolph used a slur just before a brawl between the two teams last week that included Garrett ripping off Rudolph’s helmet and then hitting the quarterback in the head with it. The NFL suspended Garrett indefinitely.  Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey had a little more success in his appeal of a three-game suspension for punching and kicking Garrett in last Thursday’s game. League appeals officer and Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks reduced Pouncey’s suspension to two games but upheld the fine of more than $35,000.   ESPN cited anonymous sources in reporting Garrett told the NFL during the appeal of his indefinite suspension Rudolph used a racial slur just before a confrontation between the two players. An NFL spokesman says the league found no such evidence of the slur.