So let me get this straight. You’re Myles Garrett and you’ve just smacked Mason Rudolph over the head with his own helmet. After the game, you apologize. Your teammates and head coach all to a man call the incident “embarrassing.” A day or so later you’re suspended indefinitely for the remainder of the season without pay. Naturally, you appeal this and six days after the incident you claim at your appeal hearing that Rudolph “used a racial slur.” The next day ( a full week after the incident) you say, “I know what I heard.” Yet the NFL can find no evidence of this allegation. Your own teammates tell reporters that “it’s the first time I’ve heard of this” and that “he didn’t say anything to me about it.” OK… let’s say Rudolph DID say something racially insensitive. Anyone I’ve talked to, whether they be a different race, religion, you name it, have all said “If I had been called this I wouldn’t be waiting a week to discuss it.” In all fairness this doesn’t mean that’s how Garrett would or did handle it. It’s his business how he chooses to handle such an egregious thing but I’m not buying it and neither should you. It’s an ill-fated attempt at trying to justify his actions.
The Anderson Angle
A rocket scientist is not necessary to see that ESPN’s Josina Anderson is largely responsible for this. I cannot prove this but I’m also not an idiot. In the moments after the incident, Anderson tweeted that she believed the incident was probably due to a racial slur. She said this without hearing from Garrett or anyone else that mattered. She soon deleted the tweet realizing how wrong it was to assume such a thing but that’s our society today. But then take a guess as to who was the first to break the news that Garrett was alleging racism? Josina Anderson. My theory is that she spoke to Garrett and told him to use this defense in hopes of getting his suspension reduced and to create talking points for herself and her colleagues at ESPN. Garrett took the bait and it didn’t work. His appeal was denied. Until I see definitive proof that Rudolph said this, it will continue to be a sad moment towards progress in our society.
Tweet of the Day… This is spot on
Alejandro Villanueva about Garrett accusing Rudolph of calling him a racial slur: "Why wasn't it said earlier? If this is a Hail Mary then he's damaging a reputation for life. It undermines the collective effort of our society to eradicate the use of that word." @TheAthleticPGH
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 21, 2019
The Injury Report
STEELERS
RB James Conner (Shoulder) – DNP
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Concussion/Knee) – DNP
RB Benny Snell Jr. (Knee) – Full
LB Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (Concussion) – Full
WR Diontae Johnson (Concussion) – Full
CB Artie Burns (Knee) – Limited
LB Mark Barron (NIR) – Full
LB Bud Dupree (Triceps) – Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) – DNP
TE Nick Vannett (Illness) – Full
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) – Full
OL Ramon Foster (NIR) – DNP
BENGALS
WR A.J Green (Ankle) – DNP
CB Darqueze Dennard (NIR) – Full
TE Drew Sample (Ankle) – DNP
DT Geno Atkins (NIR) – DNP
TE Tyler Eifert (NIR) – Full
WR Stanley Morgan (Illness) – DNP
WR Auden Tate (Concussion) – DNP
S Shawn Wiliams (Thumb) – Limited
G Billy Price (Back) – Limited
G Alex Redmond (Knee/Ankle) – Full
NOTES: I’ll be very surprised if Conner plays… Diontae Johnson has practiced all week but has yet to clear protocol which leads me to believe he’s a coin-flip to play right now… Tate remains in protocol for Cincy and hasn’t practiced which leads me to believe he isn’t playing.
December 1st
The Cleveland Browns will visit Pittsburgh on the first of the month and I expect this once dormant rivalry to be renewed quickly in terms of aggression. In terms of it being a rivalry that is going to take a lot more Cleveland wins to return it to that state. I fully expect there will be fireworks before the game and during it so if I’m Mike Tomlin I need to get as much control of my guys as possible because flags are going to fly.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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Basically, what Garrett is saying is, “He hurt my feelings, so I tried to kill him.” If you are going to get THAT upset over a WORD (A FREAKING WORD!!!!), then you should probably NOT be playing football! Grow up, Garrett: you screwed up, now take your punishment like a MAN!
First of all, thanks for letting me know your aren’t “our Ben.” Being associated with that jerk is enough trouble! LoL
I think someone got to Garrett and said “hey, if you make this thing a racial issue then they’ll shorten your suspension.” Unfortunately for him he bought it and it didn’t work.
Garrett is a punk, both for what he did to Rudolph in the game, and for how he’s trying to ruin Rudolph’s reputation now. What is it with some of these players nowadays that they can’t seem to act like responsible, sane, NORMAL adults? Do they not realize the position they are in as role models to younger, learning players, not to mention kids in general? Anymore, all it seems I can do is just shake my head, roll my eyes, and look forward to the next Steelers game!