NFL's Troy Vincent Says Myles Garrett's Suspension Was an 'Easy Decision'

NFL Head of Football Operations Troy Vincent said the league's move to suspend Myles Garrett indefinitely was an "easy decision" after he hit Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet during a melee between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

"That's not us," Vincent said, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. "That's not who we are. There is no place for that in our game. We all know that. That, frankly, is an easy decision to suspend the player for the duration of the season. ... Imagine if he hit him with the crown of the helmet? We cannot have that on a football field."

Garrett will miss the remainder of the 2019 season (and playoffs) and will have to meet with the league to gain reinstatement. It's possible his suspension will carry over into the 2020 season.

He is planning to appeal the suspension, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Garrett will look to have the ban altered so there is a finite number of games, as the collective bargaining agreement does not allow indefinite suspensions for infractions committed on the field.

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted a ruling is expected by Tuesday or Wednesday on the appeal. League officers Derrick Brooks and James Thrash are scheduled to split up the cases of the three suspended players.

Schefter added that "the NFL will be issuing mass fines to about 10 players for leaving the bench area and running on the field. ... League officials still are poring over the video to determine how many players will get fined—the NFL first wanted to discipline the main perpetrators—but it is expected to be a lengthy list, with the fines being doled out next weekend."

Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, who punched and stomped on Garrett in the brawl, was suspended three games. Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game for shoving Rudolph.

Garrett has apologized for his actions, saying he lost control in the moment.

"Last night, I made a terrible mistake," Garrett said in a statement Friday. "I lost my cool, and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions, and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward. I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake, and I fully intend to do so."

Garrett had recorded 29 tackles and 10 sacks through the first 10 games of the season, putting him on pace for his second straight Pro Bowl berth. The 2017 No. 1 overall pick has developed into one of the league's most feared pass-rushers and was one of a select few bright spots in a disappointing Cleveland season.