Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett has been suspended indefinitely following his actions in a shocking incident that marred Thursday night's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the NFL have confirmed.
Defensive end Garrett attracted widespread condemnation after ripping the helmet off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph - whom had taken exception to a late hit before grappling ensued - during the closing stages of the game and striking him over the head with it.
In the ensuing brawl, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey landed several punches and appeared to attempt to kick Garrett in the head.
Former no1 draft pick Garrett - fined an undisclosed amount - will now miss at least the rest of the 2019 season and post-season, should the Browns make it that far, while Pouncey will sit out Pittsburgh's next three matches against the Cincinnati Bengals, Browns and Arizona Cardinals.
Cleveland defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi has also been banned for one game for shoving Rudolph to the ground after the skirmish, which came eight seconds from the end of the Browns' 21-7 win over their AFC North rivals at FirstEnergy Stadium.
"Browns DE Myles Garrett has been suspended indefinitely," the NFL confirmed on Friday. "Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi has been suspended one game.
"Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey has been suspended three games. In addition, Steelers and Browns organizations each fined $250,000."
The league added: "Garrett is suspended indefinitely, at minimum for the remainder of the regular season and postseason, and he must meet with the Commissioner's office prior to a decision on his reinstatement."
The Browns followed up with their own statement, in which owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam labelled Garrett's actions as "completely unacceptable" and did not dispute the punishment handed down.
“We are extremely disappointed in what transpired last evening at the end of our game," the statement read. "There is no place for that in football and that is not reflective of the core values we strive for as an organization.
"We sincerely apologize to Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Myles Garrett has been a good teammate and member of our organization and community for the last three years but his actions last night were completely unacceptable.
"We understand the consequences from the league for his actions.”
