DK Metcalf deserves to be suspended, and for more than one game. He did something in Week 16 playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers that no player should ever do. Unfortunately, Seattle Seahawks fans are likely not surprised by the situation.
In the second quarter of a game in Detroit against the Lions, Metcalf was on the sidelines when he walked toward the stands. No fellow Steelers player or coach attempted to stop him. The interaction alone was odd enough. Why would a player, during the game, walk toward the stands?
After reaching the wall, he began chatting with an obvious Lions fan who appeared to have a number 4 (Metcalf's number) Steelers jersey, but then the wide receiver grabbed the fan and appeared to throw a punch at him. At first, Metcalf's fist was closed, but after the swipe, his hand was open.
Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf goes too far in Week 16
No matter when his hand was closed or open, however, the intent was clear. He meant to hit the fan. The NFL (nor any sports league or business anywhere) can allow this kind of behavior, and giving Metcalf, or any other player who does such a thing, a one-game suspension would be a weak punishment from the league. The receiver needs to be done for the remaining two games.
No flag was thrown on the play as the referees might not have been aware of the situation. Therefore, Metcalf continued to play for the rest of the game. (However, like most games this season, the former Seahawks wideout was not very productive, as he had four catches for 42 yards.)
When he played for the Seahawks for the first six seasons of his career, DK Metcalf often had times trying to squelch his seemingly uncontrollable anger. He cost the team with a higher amount of 15-yard penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct and other penalties of that ilk than any other player between 2019 and 2024. He never crossed the line to involve fans, though.
His finally doing so is something that could have been foreseen. Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll should have done a better job making sure Metcalf understood his anger needed to be better controlled, as the wide receiver picked up so many bad penalties that it was clear the team was not making sure he was less volatile a priority.
In 2024, with new head coach Mike Macdonald, Metcalf's penchant for bad penalties diminished. Likely not a coincidence.
But the next step is up to the NFL. Should DK Metcalf be allowed to play in Week 17, the league should be held in contempt by the very fans who pay for tickets, merchandise, the NFL Sunday Ticket, and everything else that goes toward player and coaches' salaries, and in the pockets of owners.
Metcalf went too far in Week 16. He can't be allowed to do it again.