Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was suspended for two games without pay after physically confronting a Detroit Lions fan during Pittsburgh’s win on Sunday.
Metcalf, who reported that same fan to security last season, is expected to appeal the suspension, according to ESPN. The league says the suspension is for “conduct detrimental to the league.”
“Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which states that ‘players may not enter the stands or confront fans at any time on game day and…if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in a manner that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held responsible,'” the league’s statement said.
The wide receiver appeared to attack a fan in the front row at Ford Field during the second quarter of Sunday’s 29-24 victory over Detroit.
Metcalf was seen talking to the fan, who was wearing a blue wig and hanging from the front row railing. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver grabbed the man by his shirt to bring him closer before throwing a right hand towards the fan’s face.
Metcalf didn’t appear to make much contact with the fan, who raised his hands in a defensive posture. Metcalf left the locker room without answering questions from the media.
If the suspension stands, the Steelers will be without Metcalf for a crucial two-game stretch. With either a win this week against the Browns or a Ravens loss, Pittsburgh would secure its first division title from 2020. If the Steelers lose and the Ravens win, that will set up a Week 18 showdown between the teams with the division on the line, and the Steelers potentially without their star.
The Detroit Free Press spoke to the fan, who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy of Pinckney, Michigan. He said he called the player by his full name: DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.
“I called him that, and then he grabbed me and tore my shirt off,” Kennedy told the newspaper. “I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little shaken, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
Authorities did not see the incident with the fan and therefore did not issue a flag on Metcalf. He was cleared 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’ve heard about it but I haven’t seen it,” Tomlin said. “I have not had the opportunity to speak to DK and therefore have no comment.”
Metcalf, 28, has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games in his first season with the Steelers. He also has two carries for 12 yards and a score.
A second-round pick by 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
