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The allegation made by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph used a racial slur at the onset of Thursday night’s brawl at FirstEnergy Stadium is rippling across the NFL landscape. The waves hit in the Browns locker room, too.
Two Browns players were directly asked by ESPN’s local beat writer, Jake Trotter, if they heard Rudolph say anything or if they had heard any talk about a possible racial slur prior to today. Neither Baker Mayfield nor Sheldon Richardson backed up Garrett’s claim, which the suspended DE made during his appeal hearing on Wednesday.
Just asked Baker Mayfield about Garrett’s allegation that Rudolph used a racial slur and he seemed pretty stunned. Said wasn’t something he’d heard, including from anyone on the team, until I just asked him
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019
Trotter posted a very similar reaction from defensive lineman Richardson, who was on the field during the brawl,
I asked Browns DT Sheldon Richardson if Myles Garrett had ever told him what Garrett alleged about Rudolph in the hearing. Richardson said he hadn’t and said my question was the first he’d even heard about it.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019
As of now, there is no on-field audio from the brawl to confirm or refute Garrett’s allegation.
Updates:
One Browns player, left guard and team captain Joel Bitonio, does believe Garrett:
#Browns Joel Bitonio said if Myles Garrett said Rudolph used a racial slur, he believes him. Also said one of the #Steelers OL such as Pouncey was prob mic’d up
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 21, 2019
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. also affirmed his trust in Garrett’s words,
Odell: “I just don’t see Myles as someone who would lie…” pic.twitter.com/sBO6hbMft6
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 21, 2019