Pittsburgh Steelers large receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended for 2 video games with out pay by the NFL and can now miss the remainder of the common season after “initiating a physical confrontation” with a Detroit Lions fan throughout Sunday’s victory at Ford Discipline.
The league stated in a press release: “Metcalf’s actions violate league coverage, which specifies that ‘gamers might not enter the stands or in any other case confront followers at any time on recreation day.
“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.”
NFL Community Insider Tom Pelissero stated Metcalf plans to enchantment the suspension, with the 28-year-old poised to sit down out the Week 17 fixture towards the Cleveland Browns after which the regular-season finale towards the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers are 9-6 and in pole place to win the AFC North, needing one win or one Ravens loss within the subsequent two weeks.
Tv footage confirmed Metcalf talking to a fan, who was sporting a blue wig and hanging over the first-row railing, earlier than throwing a punch and strolling away.
The incident was not addressed through the recreation and Metcalf returned to play within the second half
“I heard about it, I haven’t had an opportunity to talk to DK, so I have no comment,” stated head coach Mike Tomlin instantly after the sport.
Lions fan ‘categorically denies’ utilizing racial slur
Pelissero reported on Monday that Metcalf had beforehand reported the identical fan to Seahawks safety whereas nonetheless taking part in for Seattle final season.
He added {that a} supply knowledgeable him the fan, recognized by The Detroit Free Press as Ryan Kennedy, had known as Metcalf’s mom a derogatory phrase, in addition to calling Metcalf “something we both know you don’t call a Black man.”
Kennedy “categorically denied” allegations of utilizing a racial slur or another misogynistic or hate-based language in a press release launched by his attorneys, Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of the Head Murphy Regulation Agency, on Monday.
The assertion branded the accusations “completely false” and likewise stated: “At no point before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind. The claims suggesting otherwise are untrue and not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts or any contemporaneous reporting.”
Metcalf is now set to overlook the remainder of the common NFL season
Kennedy’s attorneys added that their shopper would don’t have any additional remark as a result of “this matter will now likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings.”
Kennedy advised the Detroit Free Press that Metcalf ripped his shirt through the incident and that the participant was sad after he used his full authorized identify.
Metcalf, who completed the sport with 4 catches for 42 yards, agreed a five-year, $150m contract extension with the Steelers in March after arriving in a commerce from the Seattle Seahawks.
He entered the NFL with Seattle as a second-round select of Ole Miss in 2019 earlier than surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in three of his six seasons with the Seahawks. He has posted 55 catches for 808 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first season in Pittsburgh.
