It's true, trash talking is part of the game. But racial slur claims are an all-too-convenient "go to" when you have no other defense. The fact he brought it up a week later makes his case flimsier than a house of cards.

You're right, Rudolph tried (stupidly) to rip off Garrett's helmet first. He didn't succeed... and Garrett did. IMO, to bash him over the head with it crossed a line clearly drawn by the NFL.

Regardless of whether the league has become "pussified", a helmet swung full force at someone else's head by a 270-pound lineman is assault.