Steelers' Mike Tomlin calls Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph fight ‘ugly’

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the national spotlight since their matchup with the Cleveland Browns last Thursday, a loss that culminated with a fight between quarterback Mason Rudolph and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett, who ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and then struck him on the head with it, was suspended for at least the remainder of this season, while Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was dealt a three-game suspension for his role in the melee. Browns defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game for shoving Rudolph to the ground.

“It was ugly, it was ugly for the game of football,” Tomlin said at the outset of his press conference. “All of us involved in the game, particularly at this level, want to safeguard and protect the game, its integrity. In that instance, it was compromised obviously with an unfortunate incident. None of us want those things to transpire. It did. We were a part of it. We accept responsibility for our actions within it.”

Tomlin refused to discuss that matter immediately after the Steelers’ 21-7 to the Browns.

“It had little to no bearing on the outcome of the game,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “Our execution or lack thereof did. It’s easy to seek comfort in that sidebar distraction and not talk about what really needs to be talked about from our perspective — that we played a losing football game.”

Tomlin declined to provide an opinion on Pouncey’s decision to appeal his suspension. Pouncey’s appeal was scheduled to be heard Tuesday.

“I’m not getting into those things, nothing relative to fines, suspensions, appeals,” he said. “It doesn’t help us or me or anyone who is going through that process to talk about them in these settings.”

Tomlin listed injuries to players: JuJu Smith-Schuster has a knee injury in addition to being in concussion protocol; James Conner’s (shoulder) availability is unknown; Artie Burns (knee) appears to have a minor injury; L.T. Walton (meniscus tear) will have his knee repaired.

On a positive note Tomlin said that rookie running back Benny Snell has been cleared to practice this week.

Here is some of what Tomlin had to say.

Tomlin is concerned about Ryan Finley's mobility, and the Bengals running game.

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin talks about need to minimize penalties against Bengals. "We have to work our tails off to be clean from a technical standpoint."

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin said that rookie RB Benny Snell has been cleared to practice this week.

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin on injuries: JuJu Smith-Schuster has knee injury in addition to being in concussion protocol. James Conner (shoulder) availability is unknown. Burns (knee) appears to have minor injury. L.T. Walton (meniscus tear) will have knee repaired.

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin said Steelers couldn't afford to have a "hiccup" in the kicking game, referring to Jordan Berry's bobbled snap on Boswell's FG attempt.

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin on loss: "As plays got extended, they always tilted in the way of the Browns."

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin said he didn't want to discuss the fight initially was because it had effect on the outcome of the game.

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin: "None of us want those things to transpire and they did. We were part of it."

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin opens by addressing the Garrett-Rudolph incident: "It was ugly, it was ugly for the game of football."

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Tomlin press conference is underway in 3-2-1

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019

Roster move coming? https://t.co/JfuKJqLfqQ

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 19, 2019