Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended for two games without pay after an altercation with a fan in the stands during the team’s game against the Detroit Lions.

WATCH: NFL Player Appears To Throw Punch at Fan In The Stands

Footage showed Metcalf interacting with a fan wearing a blue wig and hanging over the first-row railing.

Watch below:

The league suspended Metcalf “for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan,” ESPN shared.

ESPN has more:

According to the NFL release, Metcalf’s actions violate the league policy that specifies “players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”

Metcalf plans to appeal the suspension, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If the suspension stands, Metcalf will forfeit $555,556 for the two games.

Ryan Kennedy, the Detroit Lions fan involved in the altercation with Metcalf on Sunday, denied he used a racial slur, “misogynistic, or hate-based language during the incident,” according to a statement released by a Michigan law firm Monday.

“These allegations are completely false,” the statement read.

“Since these false statements began circulating publicly, Mr. Kennedy has been subjected to harassment, threats, and messages advocating violence, creating serious concern for his and his family’s personal safety and well-being. No private individual should be falsely branded with such accusations or exposed to threats based on misinformation,” it continued.

Fox News shared further:

Pittsburgh owns a two-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North after the latter fell to the New England Patriots on Sunday night. The Steelers need one more win to clinch the division, but the absence of Metcalf could affect how the Steelers operate on offense.

The Steelers play the 3-12 Cleveland Browns in Week 17, followed by a regular-season finale against the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh in Week 18.

“I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it,” head coach Mike Tomlin said of Metcalf’s incident after the game. “I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk to DK.”

Metcalf didn’t meet with the media after the game. He has the right to appeal the suspension if he wishes.



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