The Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns football game got ugly in its final moments Thursday night.
With 8 seconds left on the clock before the Browns’ 21-7 victory, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett lashed out at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Garrett tore off Rudolph’s helmet and swung it, smashing the quarterback over the head.
An all-out brawl broke out in the Pittsburgh end zone, with Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey kicking Garrett, and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi pushing Rudolph to the ground. Pouncey, Ogunjobi and Garrett were all ejected.
The NFL announced Friday that it has suspended Garrett for at least the rest of the season without pay. Pouncey has been suspended for three games without pay and Ogunjobi for one game. All have been fined an additional amount on top of the $250,000 fines to be paid by the Browns’ and Steelers’ organizations.
Garrett’s own teammate, quarterback Baker Mayfield, condemned the “inexcusable” behavior:
After the game, Garrett said he regretted his actions. “I made a mistake and lost my cool, and I regret it,” he said. “It’s going to come back to hurt our team, the guys who jumped in the scrum ― I appreciate how my team had my back, but it should never have got to that point, and that’s on me.”
Speaking to reporters, Rudolph slammed Garrett’s behavior. “I know it was bush league, it was a total coward move on his part,” Rudolph said. “It’s OK, I get it. I’m not going to take it from any bully.”
Viewers and sports commentators were appalled by Garrett’s actions, with many calling for his suspension (before the NFL’s punishments were announced) and some even labeling his action as outright assault.
This article has been updated to include the NFL’s announced suspensions.