Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended.
Metcalf, who was caught swiping at a fan in the middle of Sunday’s contest against the Detroit Lions, received news on Monday that he would be suspended for two games without pay — which will be the final two games of the regular season against the Cleveland Browns (Week 17) and Baltimore Ravens (Week 18).
Metcalf will appeal the suspension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The NFL released a statement with their decision, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
“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.”
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CBS’ Tracy Wolfson, who was on the sideline and witnessed the interaction, reported on the broadcast that the fan actually had the veteran wide receiver’s jersey and called him over, before saying something that crossed the line. Metcalf responded by swinging at the fan, who was wearing a blue wig, before sauntering back toward his bench.
Metcal reported the same fan to security last season, and reacted after the fan used a combination of slurs to chastise the wide receiver, according to Chad Johnson on his “Nightcap” podcast Sunday.
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Ryan Kennedy, the fan, told the Detroit Free Press that he called the veteran by his full name — DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf — and “categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based language during the incident,” according to a statement released by Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of Head Murphy Law Firm on Monday.
“I called him that, and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt,” Kennedy told the Free Press. “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.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the incident following the game and said: “I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it, and I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk to DK, and so I have no comment.”
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