Steelers' DK Metcalf Facing Legal Ramifications After Fan Altercation

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf appears to be facing legal ramification after an incident during their game with the Detroit Lions and a fan.

Metcalf had an altercation with a Lions fan during the game, resulting in Metcalf grabbing the fan's shirt and then throwing him back. The NFL has since suspended Metcalf for two games to end the regular season, and Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin has announced that there may be a legal battle coming for the wide receiver.

"He did explain to me why he did what he did," Tomlin said. "I certainly don't condone the behavior, but I support DK. I really don't have a lot to add other than what I just told you. I think he has a hearing this afternoon, an appeals hearing, and I certainly don't want to weigh in prior to that. I have heard more recently that there might be legal ramifications, but I'd better be careful of what I say and how I say it."

When asked if he can disclose whether the legal action will come toward Metcalf or toward the fan, Tomlin said he cannot answer.

Stories From Two Sides

After the game, former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson revealed that Metcalf told him the fan, Ryan Kennedy, used a racial slur toward him and then made a comment about Metcalf's mother.

"He called him a racial slur," Johnson said on the Nightcap Podcast."He called him the N-word and called his mom a ****. And I think with those words being exchanged and the fans saying that, I think that's where the action occurred, where I think he threw a punch. I'm not sure if he connected or whatever. But he did call him the n-word, and he called his mama, I guess, the c-word."