DK Metcalf, a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was suspended by the NFL for two games without pay for “initiating a physical confrontation with a fan.” Since the regular season is winding down, with only two games left, the suspension virtually ends Metcalf’s season, and he will be short in the pockets a whopping $555,000 in salary.
Suggested Reading
And there is a possibility that, under a clause in a recent contract he signed earlier this year, the encounter could cost him an additional $45 million.
According to CBS News, as a free agent before the current season, the former Seattle Seahawks player signed a four-year, $132 million deal with the Steelers, $60 million guaranteed. Based on the media outlet reviewing the contract, it states that if the league or the team suspends him for conduct detrimental to the NFL or the Steelers, his guarantees, which are spread through the years, “will be NULL AND VOID.”
A video reveals that Metcalf approached the stands, grabbed a fan wearing a blue wig and appeared to swing at him. It’s not clear in the video whether he struck him. That action resulted in the suspension. Metcalf reportedly had a prior altercation with the fan last year.
Another angle of DK Metcalf’s altercation with a fan. No punch, but still an interaction that could draw league discipline. pic.twitter.com/ZYbAGdOWub
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2025
“Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which specifies 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 presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable,’” the league said in a written statement.
Metcalf plans to appeal the suspension.
As expected, football fans were not too happy with the wide receiver.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.