David Richard/Associated Press

John Dorsey Says Myles Garrett Told Him of Mason Rudolph's Alleged Racial Slur

Joseph Zucker

Former Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey confirmed that defensive end Myles Garrett spoke to the team about Mason Rudolph's alleged use a racial slur immediately after the game

Garrett explained what happened in the immediate aftermath in an interview with Mina Kimes on the ESPN Daily podcast (h/t the Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich):

"I think the next day [after the fight], I'd been reached out to by [Fox Sports'] Jay Glazer, and he wanted to do an interview, and he wanted to get my side 'cause I had told the coaches immediately about what happened, I had told Dorsey and I had told Larry [Ogunjobi] what happened and what was said. So they knew from that night. But I wanted the media to hear about it, whether it was through Jay Glazer or eventually through the aftermath of the meeting."

Dorsey called Garrett's retelling "correct" and added "it's the truth," per Ulrich.

The NFL suspended Garrett indefinitely after he grabbed Rudolph's helmet and hit the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback in the head with it. As Garrett was appealing the punishment last November, ESPN's Josina Anderson and Adam Schefter reported he said in his hearing that Rudolph had used a racial slur.

Legal representatives for Rudolph issued a statement denying he directed a slur at Garrett before the brawl between members of the two teams.

After the NFL upheld Garrett's suspension, Dorsey shared a statement in support of the player:

"As we've consistently stated, our organizational support for Myles will continue. He is a man of high character and unquestionable integrity. He was open and honest with us about the incident from the start. He has taken accountability for his actions on Thursday night and this situation will not define him. As an organization, our focus going forward remains on the task-at-hand, which is preparing for the Miami Dolphins."

Following his reinstatement, Garrett again addressed the incident and reiterated the allegation to Kimes on ESPN's Outside the Lines:

Rudolph called the claim "1000% False" and a "Bold-Faced Lie" on Twitter, while Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin went on ESPN's First Take to speak in support of the 24-year-old.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that league officials spoke to members of the officiating crew from the Browns' 21-7 victory in Week 11, none of whom confirmed Garrett's allegation. No players from the respective teams came forward to corroborate either.

   

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