Myles Garrett said he didn’t lose his temper out of nowhere. It was the result of a racial slur directed at him by Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.

That was his explanation in his appeal hearing with the league on Wednesday, ESPN reported, following the brawl in which he swung and slammed Rudolph’s helmet over the top of his rival’s head last Thursday. This would be the first known time Garrett, who spoke after the game and offered an official apology the day after, mentioned a racial slur was used during the incident.

Garrett’s appeal was deny and the NFL said it found no evidence of Rudolph using the slur.

Rudolph denied the accusation through a team spokesman and also told reporters he didn’t say anything that would have provoked Garrett, who was suspended indefinitely. Before being reinstated, Garrett will have to meet with the commissioner’s office.

“According to ESPN, in his appeal, Myles Garrett falsely asserted that Mason Rudolph uttered a racial slur toward him, prior to swinging a helmet at Mason’s uncovered head, in a desperate attempt to mitigate his suspension. This is a lie,” Rudolph’s attorney Timothy M. Younger said.

“This false allegation was never asserted by Garrett in the aftermath of the game, never suggested prior to the hearing, and conspicuously absent in the apology published by the Browns and adopted by Garrett. The malicious use of this wild and unfounded allegation is an assault on Mason’s integrity which is far worse than the physical assault witnessed on Thursday. This is reckless and shameful. We will have no further comment.”

ESPN reported that members of the Browns organization were aware Garrett would be presenting sensitive material in the appeal. But when asked about discussions between himself and Garrett, coach Freddie Kitchens declined to offer any details. Rudolph has yet to be disciplined for his role in the incident, but according to an ESPN source, a fine is expected.

“I’m sure Myles presented himself professionally, like he’s done ever since the moment it happened [and] afterward. He’s been nothing but professional in his responses,” Kitchens said.

Part of Garrett’s appeal was based on a previous case, when Texans defensive end Antonio Smith was suspended for two preseason games and one regular season for swinging his helmet at Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito. Garrett’s defense also argued that an indefinite suspension is not allowed under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.

Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Browns defensive end Larry Ogunjobi were also suspended for their actions in the fracas. Pouncey got three games and Ogunjobi one. Ogunjobi’s suspension was upheld while the appeals by Garrett and Pouncey have yet to be decided.