Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Defends Quarterback Mason Rudolph

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin took issue with  his backup quarterback Mason Rudolph being “accused” of using racial slurs during a game in Cleveland last season.

A physical altercation resulted in a melee between the Steelers and Browns during the 2019 season where Browns defensive end Myles Garrett forcibly removed Rudolph’s helmet and proceeded to hit him over the head with it. With 8-seconds left to play in the game, Garrett was ejected and suspended for the remaining 6 games of the season.

Coach Tomlin appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” to voice his opinion on the matter and to discuss the allegations against Mason Rudolph:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Steelers’ Head Coach Tomlin released the following statement:

I support Mason Rudolph not only because I know him, but also because I was on that field immediately following the altercation with Myles Garrett, and subsequently after the game. I interacted with a lot of people in the Cleveland Browns organization – players and coaches. If Mason said what Myles claimed, it would have come out during the many interactions I had with those in the Browns’ organization. In my conversations, I had a lot of expressions of sorrow for what transpired. I received no indication of anything racial or anything of that nature in those interactions.


BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER  

Mason Rudolph Cleared to Play Following Concussion

Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph passing during the team’s practice. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) – The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that quarterback Mason Rudolph has been cleared to play after a concussion he suffered during the matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct 6..

The team’s spokesperson Burt Lauden said via Twitter that, ” Rudolph was cleared by an independent neurological consultant to fully return to action.”

The Miami Dolphins will visit Pittsburgh on Oct 28 on Monday Night Football.


BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER  

Steelers QB Rudolph Leaves Game With Concussion

Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph walks off the field with assistance by teammates after suffering a concussion in the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 6, 2019 at Heinz Field. He was treated and released at a local Pittsburgh hospital. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) – A scary moment came in the 3rd quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens where Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph was knocked out following a vicious hit by Earl Thomas. The hit  left him unconscious for several minutes and an obvious stoppage of play. Rudolph was able to walk off of the field, woozy and discombobulated. 

Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph walks off the field with assistance by teammates after suffering a concussion in the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 6, 2019 at Heinz Field. He was treated and released at a local Pittsburgh hospital. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media confirming the aftermath was a concussion.  “I thought he represented himself well. He gave us a chance. You have to tip your hat to him.” Tomlin said. “You are talking about a guy that didn’t make our opening 53 and all those things, we know his story. You also have to acknowledge that he has done some good things at every step along the way through the team development process when given the opportunity and that is why he is in the position that he is in. That is probably why he made the positive showing in spots that he did today.”

Pittsburgh Steelers​ undrafted quarterback Devlin Hodges puts on his helmet moments before going into the game against the Ravens, following a vicious hit which left starter Mason Rudolph unconscious. He went 7-9 for 68 yards on October 6, 2019 at Heinz Field. (Brian Cook​ / Golden Sky Media Company)

The Steelers lost the game 26-23 and travel to the West Coast to face the Chargers on Sunday.

The following video is courtesy of the Pittsburgh SteelersTwitter feed:


BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER