One of the fans attending the Detroit Lions‘ contest against Pittsburgh in Week 16 taunted DK Metcalf, and the Steelers wide receiver took the bait.
CBS cameras caught Metcalf on tape taking a swipe at the face of the as yet unnamed fan in a relatively shocking scene from Sunday afternoon, December 21.
“DK Metcalf mixing it up with someone in the stands,” said play-by-play broadcaster Jim Nantz.
“Oh my gosh,” color commentator and former quarterback Tony Romo added. “Oh my goodness.”
“And that is not gonna have great consequences for the Steelers and Metcalf,” Nantz continued.
Nantz went on to say the chances the league levies some sort of punishment against Metcalf is “100 percent.”
The NFL often waits until the following Saturday to announce player fines or suspensions, both of which will be on the table for Metcalf. However, the league can make such determinations public sooner, which it sometimes does with regards to serious offenses.
Metcalf finished the first half against the Lions with one catch for five yards. Detroit entered the locker room in a near must-win game against Pittsburgh in a 10-10 tie.
DK Metcalf Has History of Fiery Temper, NFL Discipline
GettyPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Metcalf, a seven-year pro, has a long history of in-game transgressions resulting in extensive punishments from the league’s Office of Gameday Accountability.
The NFL fined Metcalf nearly $15,000 earlier this month for unsportsmanlike conduct and making a violent gesture during the second quarter of a contest against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.
Metcalf, for whom the Steelers traded the Seahawks a second-round draft selection and pick swaps in March, made it clear during the 2023 season that he did not intend to amend his sometimes problematic behavior.
“I’m not gonna change the way I play,” Metcalf said, per The Athletic, after accruing five penalty flags through the first five games of that year. “I’m not gonna change who I am as a player or a person.”
Clearly, Metcalf has kept his word. However, violent interactions with fans represent terrible public relations for the league, and so the NFL is likely to come down hard on the Steelers’ $132 million wideout to make an example of him and discourage similar behavior across the sport.
NFL Could Announce Punishment for DK Metcalf as Early as Sunday Night
GettyWide receiver DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The league did not act during the game, as Metcalf came back out to start the second half for the Steelers.
Though the NFL offices were unquestionably aware of the situation almost immediately after it occurred given the highly public nature of Metcalf’s actions. Thus, it is possible that the relevant league figures hand down and announce a punishment for Metcalf as early as Sunday night.
Pittsburgh is currently leading the AFC North Division by one game over the Baltimore Ravens, who host the New England Patriots on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 16. The Ravens can even their record with Pittsburgh via a win over the Pats and a Steelers’ loss in Detroit.
The Steelers play the Browns in Cleveland in Week 17, which is a game Metcalf could miss if the NFL decides his actions on Sunday warrant a suspension.
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