Coach Mike Tomlin is supporting Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf in the wake of a two-game suspension that was handed down by the NFL on Monday.
Metcalf was suspended following his confrontation with a fan at Ford Field in the first half of the Steelers’ game Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Metcalf has an appeal hearing scheduled Tuesday, Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or “one of his designees” will hear the appeal, the NFL said in a statement.
Metcalf approached a fan wearing a blue wig, grabbed the man by his shirt collar and then shoved him away. Metcalf has alleged that the fan used a racial slur and a derogatory term about his mother. The fan, identified as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney Mich., has hired legal representation and has denied Metcalf’s accusations, maintaining the incident happened after he referred to Metcalf by his government name.
“He did explain to me why he did what he did,” Tomlin said. “I certainly don’t condone the behavior, but I support DK.”
Tomlin was reluctant to speak further about Metcalf’s actions considering the timing of the appeal and “legal ramifications” that might stem from the incident. Asked whether that legal action was coming from Metcalf or the fan’s side, Tomlin declined to expand on his comments.
“I better be careful about what I say and how I say it,” Tomlin said.
Metcalf was suspended for violating NFL policy which states that players may not enter the stands or “otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or present crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”
If the appeal is denied, Metcalf would not return to play until the postseason if the Steelers qualify by winning the AFC North. The Steelers need one win or a loss by the Baltimore Ravens to win the division title for the first time since 2020.
The Steelers have two games remaining in the regular season: at Cleveland this weekend and at home against Baltimore on the first weekend of January.
Metcalf hasn’t spoken publicly, but he has told former NFL players Chad Ochocinco and James Harrison that he engaged with the fan because of the alleged slurs he heard.
Although Tomlin declined to reveal what Metcalf told him, he expressed concern about “volatile rhetoric” becoming more commonplace in sports.
“I think volatile rhetoric is a component of our business today, unfortunately,” Tomlin said. “It just is. Not only our business, but in college and with youth sports parents. It’s a component of sport that has developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate.”
When he played for the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf reportedly had an encounter with Kennedy at Ford Field. Tomlin hasn’t seen that side of Metcalf in the nine months he has been part of the Steelers organization.
“He’s been great,” Tomlin said. “He cares, he works hard, he’s a heck of a guy. He’s a good teammate. That is why he is easy to support.”
Acquired in a March trade with Seattle, Metcalf leads the Steelers with 850 receiving yards, and his 59 receptions are second behind Kenny Gainwell’s 62. Metcalf also leads the Steelers with six touchdown catches. His impending absence leaves the Steelers without a true No. 1 receiving threat.
Recent additions Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen are proven NFL veterans, and the Steelers have Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek as depth options behind starter Calvin Austin III, who didn’t finish the game in Detroit because of a hamstring injury. Second-year receiver Roman Wilson has been inactive for three games since Thielen was added to the roster.
Wilson is in line to take on a larger role against the Browns and Ravens provided Metcalf’s suspension is upheld.
Tomlin described Wilson as “a guy who has been working extremely hard and growing throughout the course of this thing.”
“I’m excited what this opportunity might have for him to display his growth … ,” Tomlin added, “to show his professionalism and his readiness and how he has been sharpening his sword for battle in the ranks. That’s always been the lens in which I see it, whether it’s discipline in nature or injury related. You can waste a lot of time pining for those you don’t have. As a leader, it’s my job to work and prepare those I do have and position them to live out their dreams and be positive contributors to a winning effort.”
