This is a tough one.

On one hand, you got a completely defenseless and unaware player who gets hit in the back of the head from a large (not to mention strong) individual.

And the other, the safety equipment is removed and used as a weapon.

They're both bad for sure but I would say Garrett is slightly worse because that was something unthinkable in NFL until it happened.

To me dirtiness comes down to intent. Garrett could feasibly be defending himself given that he was being rushed and pushed back by 3 Steelers players. I know he was the aggressor at points but it was definitely a back and forth exchange. Rudolph was facing him and, while he may not have expected his helmet to be swung at him, could at least see it coming and react.

White was on the ground facing away from Gronk, he had no way to see him coming or react in any way, and took the full force of his weight on his head. Gronk’s was dirtier for that simple fact imo.

This post was edited by WrathOfGod1337 on Nov 20 2019 11:36am

gronkowski's was dirtier, garrett's was more dangerous.

Dirtier? Gronks hit was dirtier.
But I understand the longer suspension because I feel like the injury potential is higher being domed by a helmet.

Welp, seems like I didn't need to respond.

Agreed

Well put

All these "he was defending defending himself" arguments are ludicrous. First of all let's stop using "well if this were the real world -" it's the NFL, it's a sport, how about we compare it to other sports.

If someone is coming at you(to fight you) in football and he's not wearing a helmet, just start throwing punches, you're wearing a helmet and he isn't. You don't swing his helmet at you, that is absolutely insane.

In hockey when players fight they don't keep their sticks.

In baseball when a Batter charges the mound he doesn't bring the bat with him

Some of y'all need to reevaluate who in that moment was being a little bitch. Here's a hint, it's the guy who's team is winning by 2 scores with 6 seconds left in the game.

I'm surprised no one has said that after getting wacked with a helmet Rudolph just threw his hands up, he didn't continue to fight. Also there was a second "dirty" hit on him by the defender flying down the field to hit him in the back, Rudolph still didn't continue the aggression at that point.

Alright, so what Garrett did is agreed to be only marginally worse at most.

With Gronk's suspension as a baseline, I would say we're looking at a one game suspension plus a fine.