Browns' Myles Garrett swings helmet at Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, sparking ugly brawl

Nate Davis | USA TODAY

CLEVELAND – A nasty contest between the arch rival Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers got really ugly with just 8 seconds left in a game Cleveland won handily 21-7.

After Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph appeared to try to remove Browns defensive end Myles Garrett's helmet while the two were tussling on the ground in a late takedown, the second-year signal-caller then had his own helmet ripped off by the Pro Bowl pass rusher. Garrett then swung the helmet and connected with the head of Rudolph, who suffered a concussion earlier this season. A mini-melee broke out in Pittsburgh’s end zone with center Maurkice Pouncey kicking Garrett. Several Steelers left the bench and ran onto the field before cooler heads prevailed.

Garrett, Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who pushed Rudolph to the ground after the helmet swing, were all ejected.

"I made a mistake, I lost my cool," Garrett said. "It's going to come back to hurt our team. The guys who jumped in the scrum, I appreciate my teammates having my back but it shouldn't have gotten that far. That's on me."

THROW THE BOOK AT HIM:: NFL needs to come down hard on Garrett

MAYHEM ON THE FIELD: More memorable fights in NFL history

Garrett added, however, that "a win’s a win. I don’t think it’s overshadowed by what happened in eight seconds."

Rudolph said he was fine after the incident, but he still admonished Garrett.

“I know it was bush league, it was a total coward move on his part," Rudolph said after the game. "It’s OK, I get it. I’m not gonna take it from any bully.”

Pouncey said he believed Garrett should be suspended for the rest of the year.

"Absolutely, absolutely, 100%," he said, according to ESPN. "We'll see how serious the NFL is about their players."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin repeatedly refused to comment on the matter. Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, however, did not defend his star pass rusher, calling the move "totally unacceptable."

"“I’m embarrassed. Myles is embarrassed," Kitchens said. "It's bad."

It was an ugly end to an ugly game, one chock full of physical – and, yes, dirty hits – especially from the Browns. Cleveland safety Damarious Randall was ejected earlier in the night for an egregious helmet-to-helmet hit on Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson, who left the game with a concussion and blood dripping from his ear.

Garrett seems likely to draw a hefty fine and suspension, just as the Browns (4-6), winners of two in a row, are starting to build momentum.

Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders.