Mike Tomlin is doing something he doesn’t usually partake in, and that’s go on national TV to speak out about controversial topics.
The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach appeared on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith Monday Morning to give his take on Myles Garrett doubling down on his claims that Mason Rudolph called him the n-word that sparked a brawl back in November.
“I took offense to it to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. ” When it first transpired during the season, we don’t have a lot of time to pause and fight battles of that nature. We said our piece, we were completely cooperative with all parties involved, the Cleveland Browns and the National Football League office. Then, we had to move on, we had another game awaiting us. But when these allegations returned this past weekend, I thought it was appropriate that Mason is properly defended.”
“Tomlin: These accusations are serious. Not only in terms of Mason Rudolph’s character, but his professional pursuits. Nobody on that field corroborated what Myles Garrett said.”
“I was on the field immediately after that altercation,” Tomlin said. “I got a lot of personal relationships within that organization over there in Cleveland. At no point did anyone within that organization come forward and say ‘Mike, heads up we got a situation here’ or something at that nature that you would expect that comes with those types of allegations.”
“Mike Tomlin: I fully support Mason Rudolph. We, as an organization, fully support Mason Rudolph.”
Myles Garrett interview:
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Mike Tomlin interview:
“To be quite honest with you, we were hacked off at what we saw this weekend. Not specifically for Myles Garrett, he’s been in the lane that he is in, but what was displayed by ESPN in that panel, the way that the situation was presented, I don’t think was fair to Mason Rudolph, and that is why I am here today.”
Since that interview, Rudolph’s legal team has seemingly threatened legal action for defamation.
This is going to be something to keep an eye during both of their matchups in 2020. Luckily for both parties, we have months before that will happen.
