Vikings' Josh Metellus warned for 'excessive verbal abuse' at Wolves-Thunder playoff game

Originally posted on Minnesota Vikings on SI
By Joe Nelson | Last updated May 25, 2025 9:33 AM ET

Have you ever wondered what happens to fans who cross the line with their banter at sporting events? Well, Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus, who by all accounts is one of the nicest guys in sports, apparently crossed that line while sitting close to the court during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.

It's unclear what Metellus said to get the warning, but he captioned his post with "energy is a hell of a drug." The post also revealed what appears to be the laminated warning card issued to him, presumably by Target Center security.

The warning card reads as follows:

"You are being issued a warning card that the comments, gestures and/or behaviors that you have directed at players, coaches, game officials and/or other spectors constitute excessive verbal abuse and are in violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct. This is the first and only warning that you will receive. If, after receiving this warning, you verbally abuse and player, coach, game official or spectator, you will be immediately ejected from the arena without refund."

For the record, there are no typos in that paragraph. The warning card clearly and incorrectly used "spectors" instead of "spectators" and later used "and" instead of "any" when warning about further verbal abuse.

Either way, Metellus apparently went too far as a fan supporting his Minnesota brethren.