DK Metcalf could be punished for altercation with Lions fan

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers' DK Metcalf could be facing suspension for altercation with Lions fan

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 21, 2025 6:04 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf could be facing some league discipline this week for an altercation that took place in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. It was not an altercation with a player. It was an altercation with a fan.

DK Metcalf takes swing at Lions fan

With the Steelers offense on the sidelines and the game in a commercial break, the CBS cameras caught Metcalf talking to a Lions fan in the front row of the stands. It ended with Metcalf appearing to take a swing at the fan before walking away.

CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported that the fan had called Metcalf over and was holding a No. 4 yellow jersey. She did not have any word on what was said during the exchange. It was clearly something that angered Metcalf.

DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fan pic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 21, 2025

None of the officials on the field saw it happen, so there was no penalty called. The league will almost certainly review that for its own form of discipline. The NFL can not — and should not — tolerate that sort of thing. No matter what is said, there have to be consequences for anything that involves a player going after a fan. Especially during a game when there is no reason for the player to be anywhere near the stands.

Fans have to follow their own code of conduct to avoid being kicked out of the stands. That is a job for security to handle. Not the players.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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