Brooke PryorDec 22, 2025, 09:55 AM
CloseBrooke Pryor is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2019. She previously covered the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star and the University of Oklahoma for The Oklahoman.
DETROIT — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf threw a punch at a fan hanging over the railing at Ford Field in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
The CBS broadcast showed Metcalf talking to the fan, who was in a blue wig and hanging over the first-row railing.
DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fan pic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 21, 2025
After a few seconds, Metcalf reached up, threw a punch at the fan with his closed right hand and walked away. The fan, who threw his hands up after Metcalf made contact with him, appeared to have a yellow jersey in his hands.
The Steelers’ offense had struggled to that point, recording only 68 yards in four possessions. Metcalf reentered the game on the Steelers’ next series. He was called for pass interference, prompting a loud response from the Detroit crowd.
Metcalf returned to play in the second half as well and had a first-down catch on the Steelers’ opening drive of the third quarter.
Because there was no flag thrown during the incident with the fan, the NFL cannot weigh in on a disqualification, which is why Metcalf could continue playing.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano contributed to this report.