Fan in Steelers’ DK Metcalf incident cleared by NFL as suspension stands

The fan who was involved in the altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will not be punished, the NFL said after upholding Metcalf’s suspension. Metcalf, who was suspended two games for the incident, argued the fan was out of line, yet the NFL said there were ‘no violations to the fan code of conduct’ from the fan.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he had a conversation with Metcalf, who explained why he did what he did. Beyond that, Tomlin would not elaborate, as he does not condone what Metcalf did, but still wants to support him.

n top of that, Tomlin hears that there could be potential legal ramifications stemming from that incident, so he did not want to speak upon the situation much.

“He did explain to me why he did what he did. I certainly don’t condone the behavior, but I support DK. I really don’t have a lot to add other than what I just told you. I think he has a hearing this afternoon, an appeals hearing, and I certainly don’t want to weigh in prior to that. I have heard more recently that there might be legal ramifications, but I’d better be careful of what I say and how I say it,” Tomlin said.

Metcalf told Chad Johnson that Ryan Kennedy, the fan who was struck, called him a racial slur and used unsavory language towards his mother. Kennedy, through his attorney, vehemently denied using that language, instead stating he called Metcalf by his full government name.

A video emerged on Tuesday that showed Kennedy saying ‘that was the goal, folks’ after he was shoved by Metcalf. Tomlin said the culture around sports of provoking people and using ‘volatile language’ is ‘unfortunate.’

“I just think volatile rhetoric is a component of our business, unfortunately,” Tomlin said. “It just is. But not only our business, but college and youth sport parents. It’s just a component of sport that’s just developed and developed in a big way in recent years and it’s unfortunate.”

Metcalf was suspended two games by the NFL and is now down for the rest of the regular season. Should the Ravens win against the Packers and the Steelers lose to the Browns, that means Metcalf would miss the pivotal win and in game in Week 18.