If you weren’t disgusted with the handling of the DK Metcalf assault on a football fan, perhaps you need to reevaluate your priorities this new year.
While many think the two-game suspension was excessive, I don’t think it went far enough. There’s no question Metcalf made a huge mistake going out of his way to confront and assault this fan in the stands. It’s on tape. Detroit police would have been well within their duty to arrest Metcalf on the spot. Had a fan run on the field (a lesser crime), he would be arrested, and rightfully so. Metcalf’s action makes security’s job that much more difficult. It could be the fuse igniting a riot as all fans take these games too serious.
After the game, coach Mike Tomlin said he heard about the incident but didn’t speak to Metcalf. Does anybody believe that statement? Many fans fault Tomlin’s lack of playoff wins, but it’s the way he fosters these character issues that leads to losses. Even George Pickens didn’t attack a fan. Metcalf should have been removed from the game immediately, if not by the NFL then by Tomlin. Let Metcalf’s selfishness answer to his teammates not making $30 million a year. I’m sure they would welcome the extra playoff money Metcalf jeopardized.
Football needs to clean up its act, as young impressionable children idolize these prima donnas. The Steelers’ desperation to win should not be the overriding concern here. At the end of the day, they’re just professional athletes; start acting like it.
Rob DiSanti
O’Hara