Steelers' Mike Tomlin laments 'volatile rhetoric' across sports after DK Metcalf fan altercation

Pittsburgh Steelers caput manager Mike Tomlin expressed his enactment for wide receiver DK Metcalf earlier the prima player’s two-game suspension for throwing a punch astatine a instrumentality was upheld.

Tomlin didn’t elaborate connected his absorption to seeing the clip, which showed Metcalf adjacent the obstruction betwixt the Steelers’ sideline and the stands. The CBS broadcast caught the interaction, which showed Metcalf propulsion connected the fan’s garment and instrumentality a swing.

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Pittsburgh Steelers caput manager Mike Tomlin looks connected from the sideline during the archetypal fractional astatine M&T Bank Stadium connected Dec. 7, 2025. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)

The longtime caput manager acknowledged Tuesday the progressively "volatile rhetoric" successful sports.

"Not lone (in) our business, (but) college, younker athletics parents," helium said. "I deliberation it’s conscionable a constituent of athletics that’s developed and developed successful a large mode successful caller years, and it’s unfortunate."

It’s unclear what the fan, who was identified arsenic Ryan Kennedy, said to Metcalf that sparked the altercation. Kennedy was accused of making a racist remark and saying a derogatory remark astir the player’s mother. However, Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations successful a connection done a instrumentality firm. The connection said nary hateful connection was used.

Another study said that erstwhile Metcalf was playing for the Seattle Seahawks, helium reported the instrumentality to squad unit erstwhile helium was successful Detroit previously.

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Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf wipes his look connected the seat during the 2nd fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, successful Detroit.  (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

Tomlin didn’t speculate erstwhile asked if determination were much teams could bash to support players successful that situation.

"Me speaking connected it and speaking connected it successful item and peculiarly expressing my sentiment regarding things doesn’t assistance the condition successful immoderate way," helium said.

The NFL upheld Metcalf’s suspension connected Tuesday night.

The league said Metcalf violated league policy, which states players whitethorn not participate the stands oregon different face fans astatine immoderate clip connected crippled time and … if a subordinate makes unnecessary carnal interaction with a instrumentality successful immoderate mode that constitutes unsportsmanlike behaviour oregon presents crowd-control issues and/or hazard of injury, helium volition beryllium held accountable."

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He volition miss the team’s last 2 games of the play and permission a boatload of wealth connected the table.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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