Kitchens: 'I'm still a Myles fan and I'm going to support him'

Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens made his first public comments on Monday since an ugly on-field incident last week where Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett hit Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet.

Garrett has since been suspended indefinitely, including for the remainder of the season and playoffs. Kitchens tried to defend the 23-year-old defensive end during his media availability on Monday.

"Myles Garrett's a good person. We're not going to pile on Myles," Kitchens said, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. "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."

In the dying seconds of Thursday night's game, Garrett took Rudolph to the ground, prompting a tussle in which Rudolph first tried to remove Garrett's helmet. Garrett then pulled Rudolph to his feet by tugging on the passer's facemask, ripping the helmet off his head. As the skirmish continued, Garrett swung the helmet and connected with the top of Rudolph's head.

"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."

Garrett is appealing his suspension. Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was also suspended one game for shoving Rudolph when the fight prompted a bigger brawl. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was suspended three games for throwing punches and a kick at Garrett.

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