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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he supports star receiver DK Metcalf, who was suspended 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 swinging at him. NFL Network reported that the fan made derogatory comments about the 28-year-old. The fan later denied the accusation.
“He explained to me why he did what he did, and I certainly don’t condone the behavior, but I support DK. And I really don’t have much to add beyond what I just told you,” Tomlin said during a press conference on Tuesday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf walks off 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 weigh in on that before that, and I’ve definitely heard lately that there could be legal ramifications, and so I better be careful what I say and how I say it. I’m sure you guys have a lot of questions. I understand that, but it’s just a position that I’ve dealt with here today, so many things that I’ve been dealt with today.”
Tomlin was asked if the Steelers are preparing for “volatile rhetoric.” He said that unfortunately it has become part of the sport today.
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Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf, right, plays against Detroit Lions’ Rock Ya-Sin 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 part of our business today, unfortunately,” Tomlin said. “It just is. But not just our business — college, you know, youth sports parents … I think it’s just part of the sport that’s evolved and evolved in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate. But really, I don’t have anything to say on the matter other than that.”
Tomlin declined to elaborate further due to the legal ramifications that could come from the incident.
The fan, identified as Ryan Kennedy, denied making any derogatory comments in a statement through a Michigan law firm. Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press that he cursed Metcalf by calling him by his full name.
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Metcalf has been the team’s No. 1 wide receiver with 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games this season. Tomlin mentioned Roman Wilson as someone who could step up in Metcalf’s absence.
The Steelers play 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.
