Steelers’ DK Metcalf suspended two games for altercation with Lions fan | NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended by the NFL for two games without pay due to his altercation with a Detroit Lions fan on Sunday.

The league said Metcalf’s actions violated league policy, which states that “players may not enter the stands or confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in a manner that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held responsible.” »

Under the collective bargaining agreement, Metcalf can appeal the suspension. A hearing will be held by the commissioner or his representative.

Earlier on Monday, the fan denied allegations that he used a racial slur in a statement released by his lawyers.

A law firm representing Ryan Kennedy said in a statement released Monday to The Associated Press that Kennedy “categorically denies” using a slur or any other derogatory statement during the exchange with Metcalf that ended with the two-time Pro Bowler hitting Kennedy with his right arm.

CBS cameras captured Metcalf and Kennedy — wearing a blue wig and blue and black shirt — in a heated back-and-forth along the fence in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory.

Kennedy leaned over the railing and appeared to shout into the receiver as he approached, and Metcalf reached up and grabbed him with his right arm. The interaction ended with Metcalf hitting the fan’s head with that arm, although he didn’t appear to make much, if any, contact.

Metcalf stayed in the game, finishing with four catches for 42 yards.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday that he had “heard about” the trade but had not seen it and at that time did not have a chance to discuss it with Metcalf, who was unavailable to reporters afterward and did not appear at his locker Monday during the club’s 45-minute media availability.

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.

The statement released by Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of the Head Murphy law firm called the allegations “completely false.”

“At no time before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind,” the statement said. “Claims suggesting otherwise are false and are not supported by any video evidence, eyewitness testimony or contemporary reporting.”

The statement said Kennedy would make no further comment as “this matter will likely now be the subject of formal legal proceedings.”

The statement added that Kennedy, who told the Detroit Free Press he was from Pinckney, Michigan, about an hour west of Ford Field, was subjected to “harassment, threats and messages advocating violence” afterward.

Kennedy told the newspaper that Metcalf tore his shirt during the incident. Kennedy also told the Free Press that he called Metcalf by his first name, DeKaylin.

This incident is not the first between a professional athlete and a fan at a live sporting event.

The exchange between Metcalf and the fan occurred five months after Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana was suspended and fined by Major League Baseball following a confrontation with a fan during a game between the Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, located a block from Ford Field.

The most notorious incident between players and fans occurred in 2004 when several members of the Indiana Pacers – including guard Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace) – fought fans inside the now-demolished Palace during a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons in what is universally known as “The Malice at the Palace.”