Wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers just received a two-game suspension from the NFL after an altercation with a fan in the Pittsburgh victory over the Detroit Lions in Detroit. Undisputed is the fact that after an exchange of words, Metcalf grabbed a spectator, Ryan Kennedy, by the collar and shoved him back into his first row seat at Ford Field.
According to Kennedy, a fan, “Metcalf was upset because I called him by his full name.” CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said the encounter began because Kennedy was holding a #4 Pittsburgh jersey (Metcalf’s number). Metcalf has told others that Kennedy used several racial epithets and specifically called him a nigger and his mother a cunt. Before you decide which of these versions is more believable, I invite you to consider the history of these two individuals, Ford Field, and NFL Security.
On September 24, 2024, Metcalf was a Seattle Seahawk and came with his team to Ford Field. Metcalf reported the same fan to Seahawks security last season when he played for Seattle (the Seahawks played at the Lions in Week 4 of the 2024 season and also played at Detroit in 2023 and 2022). Kennedy supposedly used the exact words last year. After being reported to Seahawks security, who alerted Ford Field officials, nothing happened. The fan was allowed to enjoy the remainder of the game from his seat.
The NFL has rules about contact with fans. It came as no surprise that Metcalf was suspended, even though Pittsburgh is in the midst of a playoff run at the end of the season. Many blame Metcalf for losing his temper and putting his hands on a fan. After the most recent incident, Lions officials spoke with Kennedy, and once again, he remained in his seat and enjoyed the rest of the game.
I’m going to suggest that Metcalf was far more likely to have responded to him and his mother being called out of their name than to seeing a #4 jersey or hearing his full name. If indeed a fan was allowed to call Metcalf a nigger, keep his seat, and keep up the same behavior the next time Metcalf came to Ford Field, it isn’t shocking that Metcalf eventually put his hands on Kennedy.
Kennedy has denied all the allegations.
“I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby,”
Through his lawyers, he issued a statement, “categorically denying using the 'N-word,' the 'C-word,' or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident.
The penalty for responding to being called a nigger turned out to be a two-game suspension without pay, costing him $555,556. The penalty for calling a Black man a nigger and his mother a cunt is the inconvenience of having to talk to Lions’ officials and to deny what any number of people must have witnessed.
As the NFL continues to investigate, it will soon be clear whether Metcalf gets any support from the League, which obviously didn’t happen. Professional athletes have sometimes been compared to slaves. They have actual owners who control their fate, and the players generally have little say in where they play. Yelling from fans is a part of the game, but are there no limits?