NFL: ‘No Evidence’ Mason Rudolph Used Racial Slur

The NFL investigated the claim by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph used a racial slur, inciting Garrett’s actions and starting the brawl between the teams last Thursday.

League spokesperson Brian McCarthy released a statement to multiple media outlets on Thursday, saying that the league found no evidence that Garrett’s claim was true.

Previously on Thursday, the league officially upheld all aspects of Garrett’s indefinite suspension — a strong indication that they chose not to believe the claim that Rudolph uttered a racial slur in the scrum that led to the helmet-swinging incident.

“We looked into it and found no such evidence,” McCarthy said.

What the league looked into is not completely clear, but the league does have access to all player-worn and sideline microphones from the game, in addition to all video angles.

Garrett was the only player to have his supplemental discipline fully upheld by the league. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey had his suspension shortened from three games to two. Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi had his fine reduced.