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The scene made the rounds of anyone who even remotely follows the NFL: Steelers’ DK Metcalf assaulted a Detroit Lions fan during an altercation near the standsSunday.
On Monday, the NFL announced a two-game suspension for the wide receiver. Steels.
In the middle of the playoff race, the Steelers will have to do without their top receiver for the rest of the regular season.
The league said Metcalf’s actions violated its rules, which state that “players are not permitted to enter the stands or assault fans at any time during game days and that … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in a manner that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct, presents a crowd management problem or presents a risk of injury, he will be held responsible.”
In accordance with the collective agreement, Metcalf may appeal this suspension. A hearing shall be held by the commissioner or his designee if applicable.
Installed in first place in North America with a 9-6 record, Pittsburgh will face Cleveland Brownson Sunday December 28, before the season ended against Baltimore Ravens on a date to be determined, during the last week of activities (7-8).
A Steelers win against the Browns would guarantee them a playoff spot. A loss, coupled with a Ravens win this week and everything should be decided in the final game of the season.
If Metcalf does not win his appeal, receiver no. 1 of the team will not be able to help his team go down. His inclusion will strip him of $555,556 as he will not be paid for those two games.
Partizan’s version
On Monday, the fan involved, Ryan Kennedy, categorically denied using a racial slur or hate speech toward the Steelers player, according to a statement released by a Michigan law firm.
“These allegations are completely false,” said the statement shared by Sean Head and Sean Murphy of the Head Murphy Law Firm.
It is also said that Kennedy has since been the target of harassment, threats and violent messages since the incident, as it circulated on social media that he allegedly used a racial slur against Metcalf.
It doesn’t seem to be the first time that the two have been at the center of a joint incident like Brady Henderson i ESPN reported that the receiver had already mentioned Kenndey to the security team Seahawks from Seattle while he played for this organization. He played in Detroit in a Seahawks uniform in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson specifically claimed during his “Nightcap” podcast Sunday night that the fan had used a racial slur against Metcalf.
Kennedy gave his version of events to the Detroit Free Press on Sunday and allegedly used Metcalf’s full name to address him: DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, which led to the altercation.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that he had not seen the gesture, and at the time of the press conference, he had not yet spoken to his player about the matter.
The fan was not ejected from the game and Metcalf remained in the game won 29 to 24 by the Steelers. He was held by the Lions defense to four catches for 42 yards.
