Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Myles Garrett didn't misinterpret anything

CINCINNATI — In his first public comments since Myles Garrett accused him of using a racial slur that escalated an on-field scuffle, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph left no room for interpretation about using such language.

“Absolutely not,” Rudolph said Sunday when asked if there was anything Garrett possibly could have misheard or misconstrued as the two were wrestling on the ground at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“There is nothing, not even close.”

During a hearing to appeal his indefinite suspension from the league for removing Rudolph’s helmet and swinging it at Rudolph’s head, Garrett told NFL/NFLPA jointly appointed arbitrator James Thrash that Rudolph used a slur that incited Garrett.

Through a Steelers spokesman as the news broke Thursday, Rudolph “vehemently denied” using a slur. Rudolph had not spoken to reporters since.

. @TimBenzPgh: Not only should you dismiss Myles Garrett’s claim that Mason Rudolph uttered a racial slur. You also should dismiss Garrett’s defense of making it https://t.co/ZxlTD0dQvr

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) November 24, 2019

Rudolph was benched early in the second half of a game the Steelers rallied to win at the Cincinnati Bengals, 16-10, on Sunday. After going 8 for 16 for 85 yards and an interception, Rudolph said the emotional toll of the past week was no factor in his struggles.

He did acknowledge learning of Garrett’s accusation Thursday initially made him distraught.

“I think any human would be in one day when your integrity intact and something’s said about you that’s totally untrue,” Rudolph said. “I couldn’t believe it, and I couldn’t believe that he would, you know, go that route after the fact.

“But it is what it is. I think I moved on and (for) one day it was tough, but moved on, and we’re good to go now.”

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