Browns DE Myles Garrett's appeal of NFL's indefinite suspension denied

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | USA TODAY

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Myles Garrett's ban will stand.

The Cleveland Browns defensive end's indefinite suspension, set to last at least through the end of the regular season and playoffs, was not reduced on appeal after a hearing Wednesday with appeals officer James Thrash, the NFL announced on Thursday.

Garrett was punished for removing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph's helmet and swinging it at him with eight seconds remaining in Cleveland's 21-7 win last Thursday.

Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was initially suspended three games for kicking and punching Garrett, and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game for shoving Rudolph to the ground. Pouncey's suspension was reduced to two games on appeal, leaving him out for the Steelers' rematch with the Browns on Dec. 1 in Pittsburgh.

Garrett was also fined $45,623 for the incident, NFL Network reported.

The league also said it was weighing additional discipline for other players, including those who left the bench when the incident between Garrett and Rudolph began. USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones previously reported that Rudolph, who tried to remove Garrett's helmet when brought to the ground on the play, will face a fine for his role.

On Thursday, ESPN reported that Garrett said in his appeal that Rudolph called him a racial slur before the brawl. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said later in the day the league investigated the matter and found no evidence to support the allegation. Both the Steelers and Rudolph's agent denied the claim.

Garrett's punishment remains the most severe for a single on-field incident in NFL history, surpassing former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's five-game ban in 2006 for stomping on former Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode's head and kicking his face.

Garrett apologized for his actions in a statement last Friday.

"Last night, I made a terrible mistake," Garrett said in a statement. "I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward. I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so."

Rudolph, who after the game called Garrett's actions "cowardly" and "bush league," said Wednesday that he held "no ill will" toward the defensive end.

"As for my involvement last week, there's no acceptable excuse," Rudolph said. "The bottom line is I should've done a better job keeping my composure in that situation. (I fell) short of what I believe it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and a member of the NFL."

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.