David DeCastro ready to 'cross that bridge' if NFL fines him for role in Browns skirmish
Three players already have received suspensions for their role in the melee that took place at the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Thursday at Cleveland.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph, who was not suspended for his encounter with Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett, is expected to be fined, and ESPN reported Monday that about 10 players could be fined for leaving the bench area when the skirmish broke out in the end zone.
But what about Steelers guard David DeCastro, who wrestled Garrett to the ground after Garrett hit Rudolph in the head with his helmet? While Maurkice Pouncey charged at Garrett and kicked him in the head, DeCastro remained atop Garrett in an attempt to keep the fight from escalating.
Does DeCastro expect to be among those facing league discipline?
“I’ll leave it up to them and cross that bridge if I need to,” DeCastro said Monday.
DeCastro did think the three-game suspension Pouncey received was excessive.
“I’m a little biased, though,” he said. “I don’t think my opinion counts too much, but yeah, it was a little tough.”
Garrett applauded DeCastro for his attempt to maintain the peace.
“Those situations happen so quick,” DeCastro said. “Hopefully someone has a level head. I didn’t really see exactly what was going on so I tried to deescalate it. The game was over, and I think everyone was ready to get out of the stadium.”
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Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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