CLEVELAND (AP) Myles Garrett is done playing for the Cleveland Browns this season. The NFL isnt saying when the star defensive end will play again.
Garrett was suspended for at least the rest of the regular season and postseason by the league Friday, hours after he shockingly used a helmet as a weapon by striking Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head.
Garretts violent outburst in the final seconds of Thursdays nationally televised game against the Steelers landed him the longest suspension for a single on-field infraction in league history. Tennessees Albert Haynesworth was suspended five games in 2006.
The leagues No. 1 overall pick in 2017 was also fined an undisclosed amount and Garrett must meet with Commissioner Roger Goodells office before his reinstatement is considered.
After wrestling Rudolph to the ground as the Browns were closing out a rare win over their rivals, Garrett ripped off the quarterbacks helmet and clobbered him on top of the head, triggering a benches-clearing brawl that capped another physical game between the AFC North teams.
I made a terrible mistake, Garrett said in a statement Friday. I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward. I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so.
Rudolph, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, avoided serious injury and said after the game the defensive star’s attack was “cowardly and bush league.” That sentiment was shared across the league and sports world.
The league said Garrett violated unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules, as well as fighting and removing an opponents helmet and using it as a weapon.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, who was doing all he could to separate Garrett and Rudolph, was suspended three games without pay and also fined for punching and kicking Garrett. Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended for one game. He shoved Rudolph to the ground from behind during the melee.
The suspended players have three business days to appeal their penalties.
The Steelers and Browns were also fined $250,000 each.
There is no place for that in football and that is not reflective of the core values we strive for as an organization, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. We sincerely apologize to Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Myles Garrett has been a good teammate and member of our organization and community for the last three years but his actions last night were completely unacceptable. We understand the consequences from the league for his actions.
