Mike Tomlin rips ESPN, says he 'took offense' to Myles Garrett's racial slur accusation
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin keeps coming to the defense of his quarterback. Tomlin once again defended Mason Rudolph on Monday, skewering both ESPN and Myles Garrett in the process.
Tomlin, 47, appeared on ESPN’s “First Take,” where he called out the network for allowing Garrett to spread a story Tomlin believes is false. Tomlin reiterated the same defense he used to defend Rudolph on Saturday, saying no member of the Steelers or Cleveland Browns told Tomlin they heard Rudolph utter a racial slur.
Tomlin: These accusations are serious. Not only in terms of Mason Rudolph's character, but his professional pursuits. Nobody on that field corroborated what Myles Garrett said.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) February 17, 2020
Tomlin again stressed that Rudolph, 24, has the full support of the Steelers’ organization. Tomlin also added that he was “hacked off” when he heard Garrett once again accuse Rudolph of using a racial slur during Week 11’s game.
Garrett and Rudolph were at the center of a nasty brawl between the Browns and Steelers in Week 11. With eight seconds to play, Garrett tackled Rudolph. Words were exchanged and Garrett ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and swung it at Rudolph. Members of both teams jumped in, resulting in 33 players being fined. Garrett was suspended indefinitely. He missed the rest of the season, but was reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday.
Garrett, 24, has claimed multiple times that Rudolph called Garrett “the N-word,” which kicked off the brawl. Tomlin said he “took offense” to Garrett’s claims.
Tomlin on his reaction to Myles Garrett's latest accusation on First Take: "I took offense to it to be quite honest with you."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) February 17, 2020
Following Garrett’s interview, Rudolph’s agent implied the quarterback could seek legal damages against Garrett. Tomlin seemed to hint at that Monday, saying Rudolph’s “reputation was tarnished” as a result of Garrett’s accusation.
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