Steelers’ Metcalf suspended for the remainder of NFL regular season following incident with Lions fan
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has received a two-game suspension without pay from the NFL, causing him to miss the remainder of the regular season after “provoking a physical altercation” with a Detroit Lions supporter during Sunday’s game at Ford Field. The league issued a statement saying, “Metcalf’s behavior breaches league policy, which states that ‘players are prohibited from entering the stands or confronting fans at any time on game day. If a player engages in unnecessary physical interaction with a fan that constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior or poses crowd management concerns and/or risks injury, he will be held accountable.'”
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported that Metcalf intends to contest the suspension, as the 28-year-old will be sidelined for the Week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns and the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Currently, the Steelers are 9-6 and in a strong position to secure the AFC North title, needing either one victory or one loss by the Ravens in the upcoming weeks.
Television footage revealed Metcalf conversing with a fan wearing a blue wig who was leaning over the first-row railing before he threw a punch and walked away. The situation went unaddressed during the match, and Metcalf returned for the second half.
“I was made aware of it, but I haven’t had the chance to speak with DK, so I can’t comment,” noted head coach Mike Tomlin immediately after the game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers’ Kenneth Gainwell makes an impressive 45-yard touchdown catch from Aaron Rodgers during their game against the Detroit Lions
Lions fan ‘firmly denies’ using racial slur Pelissero reported on Monday that Metcalf had reported the same fan to Seahawks security while he was still with Seattle last season. He added that a source informed him the fan, identified by The Detroit Free Press as Ryan Kennedy, had called Metcalf’s mother an offensive term, in addition to using a phrase that is unacceptable to refer to a Black man. Kennedy “categorically denied” the allegations of employing a racial slur or any other misogynistic or hate-based comments in a statement from his legal representatives, Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of the Head Murphy Law Firm, on Monday. The statement described the accusations as “entirely false” and asserted: “At no stage before, during, or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy utilize racial slurs or hateful speech of any kind. Claims suggesting otherwise lack truth and are not substantiated by video evidence, eyewitness statements, or any immediate reports.”
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Metcalf is now set to miss the rest of the regular NFL season
Kennedy’s attorneys further stated that their client would refrain from making additional comments since “this matter will likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings.” Kennedy informed the Detroit Free Press that Metcalf tore his shirt during the incident and that the player was displeased after he referenced his full legal name. Metcalf, who ended the game with four receptions for 42 yards, signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension with the Steelers in March after being acquired via trade from the Seattle Seahawks. He started his NFL journey with Seattle as a second-round draft pick out of Ole Miss in 2019 and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three of his six seasons with the Seahawks. He has recorded 55 receptions for 808 yards and six touchdowns in his inaugural season in Pittsburgh.
Published: 2025-12-22 22:45:00
source: www.skysports.com
