BREAKING: Suspensions, Fines Handed Down Following Steelers Browns Fight

Screenshot of the fight between the Steelers and Browns on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland. (Courtesy: FOX)

(GSM) — Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has been suspended without salary for the remainder of the 2019 NFL season following an altercation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. 

The incident took place in Cleveland during the Thursday night matchup with 8-seconds left to play in the game where Garrett forcibly removed Rudolph’s helmet and hit him over the head with it. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey proceeded to throw punches, striking Garrett several times prior to kicking him while on the ground.


The National Football League hit both the Steelers and Browns with stiff financial penalties and said in a statement, “The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns organizations have each been fined $250,000 and three players – Cleveland’s MYLES GARRETT and LARRY OGUNJOBI, and Pittsburgh’s MAURKICE POUNCEY – have been suspended without pay for their actions in Thursday night’s game,” The statement read. “Garrett has been suspended without pay indefinitely – at a minimum for the remainder of the regular season and postseason – and must meet with the commissioner’s office prior to a decision on his reinstatement.  He was also fined an additional amount.  Garrett violated unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules, as well as fighting, removing the helmet of an opponent and using the helmet as a weapon.”

Art Rooney II, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers released a statement on the incident:

“As an organization, we are disappointed with what occurred last night near the end of our game against the Cleveland Browns. The actions of the players involved were not something that should be part of any football game. Our players, coaches and everyone in the Steelers organization understand that we must always maintain composure, no matter what happens. After a hard-fought game between two rivals, it is a shame that the game ended that way.”

The Cleveland Browns also commented publicly about what transpired Thursday night via owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam: 

“We are extremely disappointed in what transpired last evening at the end of our game. 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.”


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.
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From the Pitt Panthers to the LA Rams, Aaron Donald Returns to Pittsburgh to Face Steelers

Screenshot of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald during an interview about he and his trainer DeWayne Brown. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Native of Pittsburgh, Penn Hills High School standout, University of Pittsburgh product and National Football League All-pro, Aaron Donald has been nothing short of spectacular throughout his gridiron career.

The following clip is taken from an interview — with Golden Sky Media’s Brian Cook — of a documentary on legendary trainer DeWayne Brown (Release date: TBD) and Aaron Donald who has benefitted from Brown’s rigorous training regimen. 

However, Donald tells Cook how he feels about his return to his hometown on November 10 when the Rams will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, “This is my first time playing at Heinz Field since being a Pitt Panther,” Donald says, “I definitely have that marked on the calendar.”

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman David DeCastro will be lined up across from Donald and says it will take the whole team to stop him. “He moves around quite a bit. Everyone knows about Aaron Donald. I don’t need to speak on his resume. DeCastro said, “He’s a tremendous athlete. Smart player.”

Donald continues to train during the off season in Pittsburgh at the Aaron Donald Football Performance Center where he donated $1-million to renovate the facility. The back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year continues to make significant pathways in professional 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  

VIDEO: Steelers’ Devin Bush on Who Inspires Him; Has Message for Kids

Steelers linebacker Devin Bush during practice. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Devin Bush is a rookie but is playing like he’s been there for years. The middle linebacker, drafted in the 1st round of the 2019 NFL Draft from Michigan, is making a name for himself for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early in his pro career to the present, he has always remained positive on his way to NFL stardom. Bush mentioned fellow teammates he’s looked up to, “Vince [Williams] is someone I’ve looked up to.” Bush said. “Ryan [Shazier] could easily be somewhere else doing completely something different. He’s invested in the team as a guy who loves football. He wants his team to excel as well as his teammates.”

(FILE)

This week, Bush was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was responsible for two takeaways in the game. 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The following are from the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ official Twitter page:

 


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  

REPORT: Steelers’ Tuitt Out For the Season

Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt runs out of the tunnel prior to facing the Los Angeles Chargers on December 2, 2018 at Heinz Field. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt will miss the remainder of the 2019 NFL season after tearing his pectoral muscle in Sunday Night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Per an ESPN report, the all-pro will require surgery.

 

 

Steelers Travel Cross-Country to Face Chargers

The line of scrimmage between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers on December 2, 2018 at Heinz Field. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the all-time series against the Chargers 23-10 (including the post-season), Pittsburgh has an uphill battle as they struggle against teams when traveling across time zones.

The last 3 meetings against teams on the West Coast (or relatively close) has resulted in losses. In 2018, the Steelers fell on the road to the Oakland Raiders (24-21), Denver Broncos (24-17) and in ’19 walked away winless when facing the San Francisco 49ers (24-20), respectively. 

This week, the Chargers are at home and face their own struggles. Sitting at 2-3 and 3rd place in the AFC West, Los Angeles is coming off of a loss to division rival  Denver Broncos.  

Los Angeles Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers celebrates after his team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 2, 2018 at Heinz Field. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers — who Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin labeled a, Hall of Fame caliber quarterback” — has a completion percentage of 68% on 194 passes and 7 touchdowns, however, is missing his anchor on the offensive line for the season.  Mike Pouncey (twin brother to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey) was placed on the team’s injured reserve list on Oct 9 after suffering a neck injury against the Broncos. An injury that will have him sidelined for the season, possibly longer.

Rivers, who has faced adversity before, said in a press conference, “We have to be physical, come out and be hungry.”

The Steelers — on the other hand — must rely on their defense to carry the load and stop the Chargers offense who has proven to be efficient in recent history. The addition of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has assisted Pittsburgh in defensive stops across the middle. In his Steelers debut, he recorded an interception and has made a significant impact in the secondary. Fitzpatrick was acquired from the Miami Dolphins for a 2020 1st round pick and a 6th-rounder in 2021.

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
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.