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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he supports star wide receiver DK Metcalf, who was suspended for two games by the NFL for throwing a punch at a Detroit Lions fan on Sunday.
Metcalf was shown by the CBS broadcast grabbing a fan by the shirt and throwing a punch. NFL Network reported that the fan made derogatory comments toward the 28-year-old. The fan later denied the allegation.
“He explained to me why he did what he did, and I certainly don’t condone that behavior, but I support DK. And I really don’t have much to add other than what I just told you,” Tomlin said at a press conference Tuesday.
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DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan on December 21, 2025. (Ryan Sun/AP Photo)
“I think he has a hearing this afternoon – an appeal hearing, and I certainly don’t want to intervene before that, and I’ve certainly heard more recently that there could be legal ramifications, and so I better be careful about what I say and how I say it. I’m sure you have a lot of questions. I understand that, but it’s just a posture that I find myself in here today with so many elements of this case still to be resolved.”
Tomlin was asked if the Steelers were preparing for “volatile rhetoric.” He said it had unfortunately become a part of the sport today.
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DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers, right, plays against Rock Ya-Sin of the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
“You know, I just think volatile rhetoric is unfortunately a component of our business today,” Tomlin said. “It just is. But not just our business – the college, you know, the young sports parents…I think it’s just a component of the sport that has grown and grown tremendously over the last few years, and that’s unfortunate. But, really, I don’t have anything to say about it other than that.”
Tomlin declined to provide further details due to the legal ramifications that could arise from the incident.
The fan, identified as Ryan Kennedy, denied making the derogatory comments in a statement through a Michigan law firm. Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press that he heckled Metcalf by calling him by his full name.
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Metcalf was the team’s No. 1 receiver with 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games this season. Tomlin mentioned Roman Wilson as someone who could step in in Metcalf’s absence.
The Steelers face the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, and if the Steelers win, they win the AFC North. However, they may have to do it without Metcalf.
