Former Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf’s regular season has been cut short (barring a successful appeal).
Metcalf was suspended two games by the NFL after he got into a physical altercation with a Detroit Lions fan during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ controversial win in Detroit. The CBS broadcast angle looked like Metcalf punched the fan, who later identified himself as Ryan Kennedy, but another angle showed DK grabbing Kennedy’s shirt.
The NFL’s press release states, “Players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day…If a player engages in unnecessary physical contact with fans in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or creates crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”
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kennedy told detroit free pressHe called Metcalf by his full name – Dekaelin Zekarius Metcalf – and said, “My words don’t matter because it’s on camera.” The Lions did not eject Kennedy from the game.
Metcalf has not spoken to the media since the incident. Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson said nightcap On the podcast, Metcalfe told him he was called a racial slur and that Kennedy Use derogatory language to insult his mother. NFL insider Tom Pelissero actually reported the same thing, noting that Metcalf reported Kennedy to security last year when the Seahawks played the Lions.
In a statement released on Monday through Sean Hyde and Sean Murphy of the law firm Hyde and Murphy, Kennedy “categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ ‘C-word,’ or any racial, misogynistic or hate-based slur during the game,” later adding, “These accusations are completely false.”
It was the first suspension of Metcalf’s career, and it came at a time when the Steelers had not locked up a playoff spot. However, with the Steelers winning in Detroit and the Baltimore Ravens losing to the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh could close out the AFC North with a win over the lowly Cleveland Browns on Sunday or if the Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. If Metcalf’s appeal is unsuccessful and Pittsburgh does not secure a playoff spot by Week 17, he will miss the “season-ending” rematch with the Ravens in Week 18.