Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended for two games by the NFL after the two-time Pro Bowler had an altercation with a fan on Sunday in Detroit.
Metcalf has the right to appeal against the decision, which was levied on Monday. If the suspension is upheld, he will miss the final two regular-season games, Sunday against the Browns in Cleveland, then the Week 18 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh. The Steelers can clinch the AFC North title with a win in either game.
NFL policy states 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.”
Metcalf was not penalized during the Steelers’ 29-24 victory because the game officials did not see the incident. However, the confrontation was caught on camera and shown by CBS during its telecast of the game.
Ryan Kennedy, a Lions fan from Pinckney, Mich, was wearing a blue wig and a blue and black shirt – matching Detroit’s colors -- and had an exchange with Metcalf along the railing in front of the first row of stands in the second quarter.
Kennedy leaned over the railing. Metcalf then reached toward Kelly's head with his right arm and appeared to land a glancing blow that did not cause injury. Metcalf did not make himself available to the media after the game and is expected to address the issue on Wednesday.
Kennedy said Metcalf was upset that he referred to him by his given name, McKaylin. Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said during a podcast he co-hosts with Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe that Metcalf told him the fan used a racial slur and disparaged Metcalf’s mother.
A statement released to The Associated Press on Kennedy's behalf by Head Murphy Law Firm, based in Farmington, Mich., said their client “categorically denies” using a slur or any other derogatory statement during the exchange.
“At no point before, during, or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind,” the statement read. “The claims suggesting otherwise are untrue and not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts, or any contemporaneous reporting.”
The statement said Kennedy would have no further comment because “this matter will now likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings.”