Steelers star DK Metcalf suspended two games for grabbing at fan who called him by his given name
-
Click here to listen to this article - Share via
See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred
- Steelers receiver DK Metcalf swung his hand after a fan addressed him by his given name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, at Ford Field.
- Pittsburgh’s controversial 29-24 victory came down to two offensive interference calls that negated Detroit touchdowns in the final 30 seconds of the game.
- Jared Goff’s apparent game-winning touchdown as time expired was voided by an offensive pass interference penalty, handing the Steelers an AFC North lifeline.
It’s difficult to overshadow a game in which two touchdowns were negated by the officials in the last 30 seconds, enabling the Pittsburgh Steelers to hang on for a 29-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday in a Week 16 game with significant playoff implications.
Offensive interference penalties erased both Lions scores, including one of the wildest plays ever seen as time expired. What possibly could steal a headline from that?
How about Steelers star wide receiver DK Metcalf reaching into the stands and taking a swipe at a fan with seemingly more force than the contact by Lions receivers that prompted the offensive interference flags?
Videos captured Metcalf approaching a fan wearing a blue wig at the first row of seats behind the Steelers’ bench at Ford Field. The fan leaned over the rail to say something and Metcalf reached up, grabbed him by the shirt with his right hand and took a swipe at him before turning and walking away.
The NFL acted swiftly, suspending Metcalf for two games Monday. Metcalf, who played the previous six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, had reported the fan to team security in the past, a source told ESPN’s Brady Henderson. The Seahawks played at Detroit each of the last three seasons.
In a statement the NFL said Metcalf’s actions violated league policy that specifies “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 can appeal the suspension. If it stands, Metcalf would miss the last two regular-season games and forfeit $555,556 in salary.
What would prompt Metcalf, one of the NFL’s top receivers, to lose his temper and apparently engage with a fan in a way strictly forbidden by the league?
Well, the fan, who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Mich., to the Detroit Free Press, said he called the player by his full given name — DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf — and that apparently touched a nerve. Through his lawyer, Kennedy denied using a racial slur, saying he had been “the subject of harassment, threats, and messages advocating violence.”
Shortly after the incident, Kennedy explained to the Free Press what he said: “He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. 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.”
Kennedy didn’t get his wish thanks to Lions receivers getting too pushy themselves, albeit on the field of play.
The play that will be replayed countless times came as time expired. Lions star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown was stopped after catching a pass at the one-yard line but underhanded the ball back to quarterback Jared Goff, who barreled into the end zone for what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown.
Here’s why the NFL’s schedule gurus make so many changes to the Week 17 and 18 schedules, and what it all means for fans and the playoff picture.
However, St. Brown had given Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey a shove before breaking free to make the catch and a flag had been thrown before Goff crossed the goal line. The officials announced after a lengthy huddle that St. Brown committed offensive pass interference and the game was over.
The applicable NFL rule reads: “If there is a foul by the offense, there shall be no extension of the period. If the foul occurs on the last play of the half, a score by the offense is not counted.”
Fewer than 30 seconds earlier, Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa set an illegal pick that enabled St. Brown — a former USC and Mater Dei High star — to break free in the end zone and make a one-yard touchdown catch that also was erased.
The Steelers sideline erupted in joy after the second call resulted in a victory that put them in control of their destiny as they chase the AFC North title. They need one win or a Baltimore Ravens loss in the last two weeks of the regular season to clinch it and secure a home playoff game.
The Lions, meanwhile, had their playoff chances reduced to 6% after the loss.
