
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn't condone wide receiver DK Metcalf punching a fan, but he also believes spectators shouldn't provoke players.
Metcalf was suspended two games after slugging Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy in the second quarter of a 29-24 Steelers victory in Week 16. He also had $45M in guarantees in his contract voided. Metcalf said Kennedy instigated him, calling him a racial slur, which the spectator has denied. Kennedy and his legal team have scheduled a news conference Friday to tell his side of the story and correct any information they deem inaccurate.
Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that whether Kennedy violated the fan code of conduct remains under league review. Rodgers, who doesn't know the NFL has one, indicated fans should be respectful while interacting with players.
"I think there's a mindset that you pay for a ticket, you say whatever the [heck] you want," Rodgers said Wednesday. "I think there should be some sort of code of conduct. Obviously, that was intentional, and I think there was some celebration afterward on his part. Obviously, I don't condone what DK did. I understand there have been a lot of comments said my way over the years. The truth is that it would never happen face to face. ... There are two sides to every story. I support DK. I'll continue to support DK."
DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fan pic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 21, 2025
Heyward agreed with Rodgers.
"There are some inappropriate things [said to players]," Heyward said. "But as professionals, we gotta keep moving beyond that. It's easier in basketball where you can point at a guy and say, 'Hey, get him out of here.' Football, there's a lot more going on. But it shouldn't be tolerated at all. I respect them as they come to watch us play, and they should respect us, as, you know, we try to put on a good show for them."
#Steelers Cam Heyward hears inappropriate things at stadiums, they need to be pros, but poor fan behavior shouldn’t be tolerated pic.twitter.com/MXdi5mfS6T
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 24, 2025
The NFL fan code of conduct prohibits unruly behavior, including offensive language. Perhaps Heyward, a vice president on the NFL Players Association executive committee, could address how to better enforce this policy at a future meeting.
In the meantime, the Steelers (9-6) must win without Metcalf in their road game against the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (CBS). If Pittsburgh beats Cleveland, it wins the AFC North.
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