Freddie Kitchens Says Browns Will Support Myles Garrett
While waiting for the ruling on Myles Garrett's suspension appeal this week, Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said the team supports the defensive end.
"Myles Garrett's a good person," Kitchens told reporters on Monday, per ESPN. "We're not going to pile on Myles. He had a bad lapse in judgment and that's it. I'm still a Myles fan and I'm going to support him. Our organization is going to support him, his teammates, coaching staff will support him."
Garrett received an indefinite suspension last Friday after hitting Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet on Thursday night. Garrett's suspension is slated to last at least through the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs prior to his appeal.
"There's no excuse for that to happen on a football field," Kitchens said. "I know that. Myles knows that. All the players in the locker room know that. That's it. There's no excuse. But, in saying that, we're going to support Myles Garrett going forward in any way that he needs support."
Garrett was among a trio of players to receive suspensions, including Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey. Ogunjobi was suspended one game for his role in the melee after Garrett's hit on Rudolph, while Pouncey was given a three-game ban after punching and kicking Garrett.
Garrett is currently expected to serve the longest suspension in NFL history, surpassing Albert Haynesworth's five-game ban in 2006.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports officer James Thrash will deliberate on the appeal, and Garrett will attend the hearing in person.
Browns defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson stuck up for his teammate and argued Garrett was defending himself from Rudolph.
"Of course he was," Richardson said. "If a guy scratching at your face, what you going to? The helmet is overboard, let's get that clear. But defending yourself, I don't blame him for defending [himself] at all."
Rudolph did not receive a suspension for his role in the brawl but is expected to be fined by the NFL.
