Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver DK Metcalf took a swing at a Detroit Lions fan in the middle of Sunday’s game in Michigan.
During the second quarter, Metcalf was over by the blue tent and was seen jawing with a fan who was leaning over the railing.
It appeared that Metcalf was holding onto a blue wig that the fan was wearing as the pass catcher was talking. It’s not clear what led up to this point.
Then, Metcalf appeared to extend his arm with a closed fist. It didn’t seem as if the receiver connected with the fan’s face.
CBS commentator Jim Nantz remarked, ‘That is not going to have great consequences for the Steelers and Metcalf.’
The broadcast later said that the NFL planned to address the incident at a later date. Metcalf was not ejected from the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers star DK Metcalf appeared to take a swing at a Detroit Lions fan on Sunday
The fan told the Free Press that he used Metcalf’s ‘government name’ which he ‘doesn’t like’
A reporter for the Detroit Free Press tracked the fan down, who said he was ‘a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.’
The fan, who was identified in the paper as Ryan Kennedy, said that he called Metcalf by his full name – or, as he called it, his ‘government name’.
‘He doesn’t like his government name,’ Kennedy said. ‘I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked.’
Kennedy added, ‘My words don’t matter because it was on camera.’
The Free Press reported that the Lions threw the fan out of the game and that officials from the team were speaking to Kennedy about the incident.
In a statement to the paper, the NFL said it could not intervene to eject Metcalf: ‘There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification.’
NFL on CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said Metcalf came over because Kennedy ‘was holding a “4” Pittsburgh jersey, he went over and the fan said something to him.’
Wolfson added, ‘Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything, we’ll see if the league takes action.’