Friday, November 15th

Photo breakdown of Myles Garrett using helmet as a weapon

By The Associated Press

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) pulls the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Myles Garrett used an opponent's helmet as a weapon to hit Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head, an attack played over and over on TV and social media. He was swiftly suspended by the NFL.

The violence unfolded with shocking clarity with seconds remaining in Cleveland's 21-7 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

After Garrett wrapped up Rudolph and took him down with a late, hard tackle, the players tussled on the ground, with Rudolph tugging at Garrett's helmet.

Garrett, the massive defensive end, then grabbed Rudolph's black helmet by the facemask and yanked it off while lifting the rookie quarterback off the turf.

Rudolph angrily tried to go after Garrett but he was blocked by teammates David DeCastro and Matt Feiler, who tried to separate the players. Instead, Garrett, using his right hand, swung the helmet and landed a blow to the top of Rudolph's head.

DeCastro then wrestled Garrett to the ground as Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey came flying in from the players' right, throwing punches at Garrett. When Garrett landed in the orange and brown-striped end zone, Pouncey kicked Garrett in the head and continued punching him as he fell on top of a pile of players.

In the end, Garrett was suspended for at least the rest of the season and playoffs for conduct that seems certain to taint his Pro Bowl career. He must meet with the commissioner before he is considered for reinstatement.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, is grabbed by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard David DeCastro (66) after Garrett pulled the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) goes after Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, gets ready to hit Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, second from left, with a helmet during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) hits Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) with a helmet during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reacts after swinging a helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) is punched by Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) and tackled by offensive guard David DeCastro (66) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, bottom, and, Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) and offensive guard David DeCastro (66) fall to the turf during a brawl in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett walks off the field after he was ejected late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)