Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended for two games without pay after physically confronting a Detroit Lions fan during Pittsburgh’s win on Sunday.
Metcalf, who reported this same fan to security last season, is expected to appeal the suspension, according to ESPN. The league states the suspension is for “conduct detrimental to the league.”
“Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which specifies that ‘players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable,'” the statement from the league read.
The wide receiver appeared to take a swipe at a fan in the front row at Ford Field during the second quarter of Sunday’s 29-24 win over Detroit.
Metcalf was spotted talking to the fan, who was sporting a blue wig and hanging over the first-row railing. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver grabbed the man by his shirt to move him closer before throwing a right hand toward the fan’s face.
Metcalf did not appear to make much contact with the fan, who threw his hands up in a defensive posture. Metcalf exited the locker room without taking questions from the media.
If the suspension is upheld, the Steelers will be without Metcalf during a crucial two-game stretch. With either a win this week over the Browns or a Ravens loss, Pittsburgh would secure its first division title since 2020. If the Steelers lose and the Ravens win, it will set up a Week 18 showdown between the teams with the division on the line, and the Steelers potentially without their star wideout.
The Detroit Free Press spoke to the fan, who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Mich. He said he called the wideout by his full name: DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.
“I called him that, and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt,” Kennedy told the newspaper. “I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
Officials did not see the incident with the fan and therefore did not issue a flag on Metcalf. He was allowed to continue playing and finished the game with four catches for 42 yards.
The fan was not removed from the game, the Lions told the Detroit Free Press.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters after the game that he did not see the incident.
“I heard about it but I haven’t seen it,” Tomlin said. “I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to DK, and so I have no comment.”
Metcalf, 28, has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games during his first season with the Steelers. He also has two carries for 12 yards and a score.
A second-round pick of Seattle in the 2019 NFL Draft, Metcalf has 497 catches for 7,174 yards and 54 touchdowns in 112 career games with the Seahawks and Steelers.
–Field Level Media
