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. his altercation with a Detroit Lions fan on Sunday.

The league said Metcalf's actions violated league policy, which states that “players are not permitted to enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time during game day, and … if a player engages in unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any manner that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or creates crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Metcalf may appeal the suspension. The hearing will be conducted by the Commissioner or his designee.

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

The law firm representing Ryan Kennedy said in a statement released to The Associated Press on Monday that Kennedy “categorically denies” using slurs or any other derogatory statements during the call with Metcalf, which ended with the two-time Pro Bowler swinging his right hand at Kennedy.

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

Kennedy leaned over the railing and shouted to the receiver as he approached, and Metcalfe reached out and grabbed him with his right hand. The interaction ended with Metcalf jabbing that hand into the fan's head, although he appeared to make little or no 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 had no opportunity at the time to discuss it with Metcalf, who was subsequently unavailable to reporters and did not appear at his locker Monday during the club's 45-minute media broadcast.

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 a fan used a racial slur and disparaged Metcalf's mother.

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

“At no time before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or any hate speech,” the statement said. “Statements suggesting otherwise are untrue and are not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts or any contemporary reports.”

The statement said Kennedy would not comment further as “the matter is now likely to be the subject of formal legal proceedings.”

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

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, DeKeilin.

The incident is not the first between a professional athlete and a fan during a sporting event.

The conversation between Metcalf and the fan came 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 Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, which is a block from Ford Field.

The most infamous 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 with fans inside the now-demolished Palace during a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons in what became known as “Malice at the Palace.”