CLEVELAND — Though Cleveland was set to play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Browns fans still had the Pittsburgh Steelers — and last week’s melee — on the mind.
Cleveland tailgaters even had a Mason Rudolph piñata, and blindfolded fans tried to hit the Steelers quarterback dummy with a Pittsburgh helmet, according to video from Cleveland.com.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was suspended for the season for ripping off and swinging Rudolph’s helmet into his head in the closing seconds of Cleveland’s 21-7 victory Nov. 14. During his appeal with the NFL, Garrett accused Rudolph of inciting him with a racial slur, which Rudolph has denied through his agent.
Thursday night, Garrett stood by his claim in a tweet, which was followed by a statement from general manager John Dorsey, noting Garrett’s “unquestionable integrity.”
Before Sunday’s game with the Dolphins, Browns owner Dee Haslam was photographed with Garrett’s No. 95 on her cap in a show of support.
Cleveland travels to Pittsburgh next weekend.