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DK Metcalf Suspension Could Cost Steelers the AFC North | Deadspin.com

DK Metcalf Suspension Could Cost Steelers the AFC North | Deadspin.com

Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

There’s a proverb to teach children to ignore bullies and not retaliate physically.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” it goes.

It’s a lesson the Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf sure could have used Sunday in Detroit.

The uber-talented but often troubled wide receiver was suspended by the league for the final two regular-season games for an altercation with a fan during the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory against the Lions.

Metcalf reportedly will appeal the ban, which could prove extremely costly for the wideout and perhaps damaging to his team’s playoff hopes.

The Steelers (9-6) still lead Baltimore (7-8) by two games in the NFC North, and they can clinch the division title with a Ravens loss to Green Bay or a victory of their own against Cleveland this weekend. But if neither of those happen, they could be staring at a Week 18 matchup against Baltimore for the division’s lone playoff berth without their leading receiver.

According to CBS Sports, not only would Metcalf forfeit $555,000 in salary from the final two games, but the suspension could void at least $45 million in future guaranteed money in his contract.

Videos show Metcalf walking behind the Steelers’ bench and the team’s medical tent and reaching up to grab the fan — who was leaning over the railing and wearing a blue wig — by the shirt and pulling him closer. After exchanging words, Metcalf forcibly pushed the man away.

The fan, identified by the Detroit Free Press as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Mich., claimed he called Metcalf by his “government name” of DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.

Former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, on his “Nightcap” podcast, claimed he “got word” that Kennedy used a racial slur against Metcalf and a misogynistic slur against the receiver’s mother.

Metcalf didn’t speak with reporters after Sunday’s game. If what Johnson says is proven, then Kennedy should be banned from all NFL stadiums.

There are reports Metcalf reported the same fan to team security while playing last season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Which is even more reason Metcalf shouldn’t have been anywhere close to the stands Sunday at Ford Field.

He should have been lobbying quarterback Aaron Rodgers for more targets, not using rabbit ears to be distracted by a voice in the crowd — even one potentially so profane.

Metcalf took the bait and he and the Steelers are paying for it.

Former Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark, now an ESPN analyst, said Metcalf “has to have a higher level of emotional intelligence.”

Metcalf is a physical specimen, listed at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds. There are few receivers that have been as chiseled, despite his claims he’s a “candy person” that eats three or four bags of gummies a day.

He also has a history of emotional issues, having been fined 16 times by the NFL, according to Spotrac, since entering the league as a second-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2019. Most of those came after altercations with defenders, often after the play was long over.

In Seattle, he frequently was summoned to coach Pete Carroll’s office.

“I’m a passionate player and I’m never going to back down from anything,” Metcalf told the Seahawks’ team website after being ejected from a game in 2021. “(Carroll) understands that, but at the same time … I’ve got to grow up and continue to get better. I know that I’m still a work in progress.”

And he still has lessons to be learned.

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#Metcalf #Suspension #Cost #Steelers #AFC #North #Deadspin.com

Deadspin | Next Manning enters quarterback pipeline  Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former Denver Broncos player Peyton Manning with his son Marshall before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Another Manning has entered the quarterback pipeline, ready to start his odyssey as a high school freshman.  Marshall Manning, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, will enter Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., as a member of the Class of 2030.  Head coach Erik Kimrey confirmed this week that the younger Manning will serve as the backup to Keegan Croucher, a four-star recruit who has committed to the Ole Miss 2027 class. The 247Sports composite lists Croucher as the No. 11 quarterback prospect in the class.  “We’re excited about him,” Kimrey said.  Marshall is 15 and Peyton’s only son. Marshall has a twin sister, Mosley.  247Sports lists him at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, but given his family’s lineage, Marshall likely is due for a huge growth spurt.   His dad and his Uncle Eli, both two-time Super Bowl winners, are 6-5. Grandpa Archie, a former NFL quarterback, is 6-3. And his cousin, Arch, is 6-4 and the expected starter at quarterback at Texas in the 2026 season.  The Baylor School is a football powerhouse known to produce players who go on to major college programs, like Croucher. Also on the team’s roster and part of the 2027 class is running back David Gabriel Georges, listed as the No. 2 player at his position and No. 10 overall in the nation by the 247Sports composite. He has not chosen a school but is being courted by numerous Power Four schools.  The team is No. 12 in the 2026 MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 Rankings.  Marshall might not be the end of the Manning quarterback line. While the children of his Uncle Cooper — that includes Arch — are grown, Uncle Eli is a father of three girls and an 8-year-old boy, Charlie.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Manning #enters #quarterback #pipelineDec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former Denver Broncos player Peyton Manning with his son Marshall before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Another Manning has entered the quarterback pipeline, ready to start his odyssey as a high school freshman.

Marshall Manning, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, will enter Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., as a member of the Class of 2030.

Head coach Erik Kimrey confirmed this week that the younger Manning will serve as the backup to Keegan Croucher, a four-star recruit who has committed to the Ole Miss 2027 class. The 247Sports composite lists Croucher as the No. 11 quarterback prospect in the class.

“We’re excited about him,” Kimrey said.

Marshall is 15 and Peyton’s only son. Marshall has a twin sister, Mosley.


247Sports lists him at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, but given his family’s lineage, Marshall likely is due for a huge growth spurt.

His dad and his Uncle Eli, both two-time Super Bowl winners, are 6-5. Grandpa Archie, a former NFL quarterback, is 6-3. And his cousin, Arch, is 6-4 and the expected starter at quarterback at Texas in the 2026 season.

The Baylor School is a football powerhouse known to produce players who go on to major college programs, like Croucher. Also on the team’s roster and part of the 2027 class is running back David Gabriel Georges, listed as the No. 2 player at his position and No. 10 overall in the nation by the 247Sports composite. He has not chosen a school but is being courted by numerous Power Four schools.

The team is No. 12 in the 2026 MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 Rankings.

Marshall might not be the end of the Manning quarterback line. While the children of his Uncle Cooper — that includes Arch — are grown, Uncle Eli is a father of three girls and an 8-year-old boy, Charlie.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Manning #enters #quarterback #pipeline">Deadspin | Next Manning enters quarterback pipeline  Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former Denver Broncos player Peyton Manning with his son Marshall before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Another Manning has entered the quarterback pipeline, ready to start his odyssey as a high school freshman.  Marshall Manning, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, will enter Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., as a member of the Class of 2030.  Head coach Erik Kimrey confirmed this week that the younger Manning will serve as the backup to Keegan Croucher, a four-star recruit who has committed to the Ole Miss 2027 class. The 247Sports composite lists Croucher as the No. 11 quarterback prospect in the class.  “We’re excited about him,” Kimrey said.  Marshall is 15 and Peyton’s only son. Marshall has a twin sister, Mosley.  247Sports lists him at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, but given his family’s lineage, Marshall likely is due for a huge growth spurt.   His dad and his Uncle Eli, both two-time Super Bowl winners, are 6-5. Grandpa Archie, a former NFL quarterback, is 6-3. And his cousin, Arch, is 6-4 and the expected starter at quarterback at Texas in the 2026 season.  The Baylor School is a football powerhouse known to produce players who go on to major college programs, like Croucher. Also on the team’s roster and part of the 2027 class is running back David Gabriel Georges, listed as the No. 2 player at his position and No. 10 overall in the nation by the 247Sports composite. He has not chosen a school but is being courted by numerous Power Four schools.  The team is No. 12 in the 2026 MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 Rankings.  Marshall might not be the end of the Manning quarterback line. While the children of his Uncle Cooper — that includes Arch — are grown, Uncle Eli is a father of three girls and an 8-year-old boy, Charlie.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Manning #enters #quarterback #pipeline

However, something else is on the line on Sunday.

Thanks to a huge performance in the third-place match against England, where he scored a pair of goals and added an assist, Kylian Mbappé of France currently sits atop the standings. But with one match remaining, Lionel Messi could still catch him and take home the Golden Boot.

But it would take something special from him on Sunday to catch Mbappé.

Here are the standings, and the scenarios.

What are the Golden Boot standings?

Here are the players at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Note that we have included just the players with four goals or more. For the full list of scorers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you can check FIFA’s official list:

What are the Golden Boot scenarios?

Two players on this list could, theoretically, catch Mbappé.

First is Spanish forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who has enjoyed a tremendous run of form for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. With five goals and an assist, however, he would need to score six goals in the Final to take the outright lead away from Mbappé. If he matched Mbappé’s totals of ten goals and four assists — meaning he scored five goals and added three assists in the World Cup Final — he would have to do so in less total minutes than the 769 Mbappé played at the 2026 World Cup.

But the player with a better chance of catching Mbappé is Messi, but it would still take something special for Messi to catch the French superstar. If he matched Mbappé’s total of ten goals with a brace against Spain — remember he scored two goals in the 2022 World Cup Final against France — he would need to add an assist to beat Mbappé. If he somehow scored a hat trick against Spain, that would move him to the top.

Or, if Messi finishes level with Mbappé on both goals and assists, he would have to do so in just 57 minutes or less, then he would win on the final tiebreaker.

When it comes to the Golden Boot, assists are the first tiebreaker. If two players remain tied on both goals and assists, the player that played the fewest minutes would win the Golden Boot.

If, however, Mbappé holds on and wins the Golden Boot, he would become the first player in the history of the FIFA World Cup to win the Golden Boot twice.

#World #Cup #Golden #Boot #scenarios #Kylian #Mbappé #Lionel #Messi">World Cup 2026: Golden Boot scenarios for Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi  The Final, between Spain and Argentina. Will Argentina become the first nation since Brazil won in 1958 and 1962, or will Spain secure their first title since 2010?However, something else is on the line on Sunday.Thanks to a huge performance in the third-place match against England, where he scored a pair of goals and added an assist, Kylian Mbappé of France currently sits atop the standings. But with one match remaining, Lionel Messi could still catch him and take home the Golden Boot.But it would take something special from him on Sunday to catch Mbappé.Here are the standings, and the scenarios.What are the Golden Boot standings?Here are the players at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Note that we have included just the players with four goals or more. For the full list of scorers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you can check FIFA’s official list:What are the Golden Boot scenarios?Two players on this list could, theoretically, catch Mbappé.First is Spanish forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who has enjoyed a tremendous run of form for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. With five goals and an assist, however, he would need to score six goals in the Final to take the outright lead away from Mbappé. If he matched Mbappé’s totals of ten goals and four assists — meaning he scored five goals and added three assists in the World Cup Final — he would have to do so in less total minutes than the 769 Mbappé played at the 2026 World Cup.But the player with a better chance of catching Mbappé is Messi, but it would still take something special for Messi to catch the French superstar. If he matched Mbappé’s total of ten goals with a brace against Spain — remember he scored two goals in the 2022 World Cup Final against France — he would need to add an assist to beat Mbappé. If he somehow scored a hat trick against Spain, that would move him to the top.Or, if Messi finishes level with Mbappé on both goals and assists, he would have to do so in just 57 minutes or less, then he would win on the final tiebreaker.When it comes to the Golden Boot, assists are the first tiebreaker. If two players remain tied on both goals and assists, the player that played the fewest minutes would win the Golden Boot.If, however, Mbappé holds on and wins the Golden Boot, he would become the first player in the history of the FIFA World Cup to win the Golden Boot twice.  #World #Cup #Golden #Boot #scenarios #Kylian #Mbappé #Lionel #Messi

Golden Boot standings. Note that we have included just the players with four goals or more. For the full list of scorers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you can check FIFA’s official list:

What are the Golden Boot scenarios?

Two players on this list could, theoretically, catch Mbappé.

First is Spanish forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who has enjoyed a tremendous run of form for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. With five goals and an assist, however, he would need to score six goals in the Final to take the outright lead away from Mbappé. If he matched Mbappé’s totals of ten goals and four assists — meaning he scored five goals and added three assists in the World Cup Final — he would have to do so in less total minutes than the 769 Mbappé played at the 2026 World Cup.

But the player with a better chance of catching Mbappé is Messi, but it would still take something special for Messi to catch the French superstar. If he matched Mbappé’s total of ten goals with a brace against Spain — remember he scored two goals in the 2022 World Cup Final against France — he would need to add an assist to beat Mbappé. If he somehow scored a hat trick against Spain, that would move him to the top.

Or, if Messi finishes level with Mbappé on both goals and assists, he would have to do so in just 57 minutes or less, then he would win on the final tiebreaker.

When it comes to the Golden Boot, assists are the first tiebreaker. If two players remain tied on both goals and assists, the player that played the fewest minutes would win the Golden Boot.

If, however, Mbappé holds on and wins the Golden Boot, he would become the first player in the history of the FIFA World Cup to win the Golden Boot twice.

#World #Cup #Golden #Boot #scenarios #Kylian #Mbappé #Lionel #Messi">World Cup 2026: Golden Boot scenarios for Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi

The Final, between Spain and Argentina. Will Argentina become the first nation since Brazil won in 1958 and 1962, or will Spain secure their first title since 2010?

However, something else is on the line on Sunday.

Thanks to a huge performance in the third-place match against England, where he scored a pair of goals and added an assist, Kylian Mbappé of France currently sits atop the standings. But with one match remaining, Lionel Messi could still catch him and take home the Golden Boot.

But it would take something special from him on Sunday to catch Mbappé.

Here are the standings, and the scenarios.

What are the Golden Boot standings?

Here are the players at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Note that we have included just the players with four goals or more. For the full list of scorers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you can check FIFA’s official list:

What are the Golden Boot scenarios?

Two players on this list could, theoretically, catch Mbappé.

First is Spanish forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who has enjoyed a tremendous run of form for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. With five goals and an assist, however, he would need to score six goals in the Final to take the outright lead away from Mbappé. If he matched Mbappé’s totals of ten goals and four assists — meaning he scored five goals and added three assists in the World Cup Final — he would have to do so in less total minutes than the 769 Mbappé played at the 2026 World Cup.

But the player with a better chance of catching Mbappé is Messi, but it would still take something special for Messi to catch the French superstar. If he matched Mbappé’s total of ten goals with a brace against Spain — remember he scored two goals in the 2022 World Cup Final against France — he would need to add an assist to beat Mbappé. If he somehow scored a hat trick against Spain, that would move him to the top.

Or, if Messi finishes level with Mbappé on both goals and assists, he would have to do so in just 57 minutes or less, then he would win on the final tiebreaker.

When it comes to the Golden Boot, assists are the first tiebreaker. If two players remain tied on both goals and assists, the player that played the fewest minutes would win the Golden Boot.

If, however, Mbappé holds on and wins the Golden Boot, he would become the first player in the history of the FIFA World Cup to win the Golden Boot twice.

#World #Cup #Golden #Boot #scenarios #Kylian #Mbappé #Lionel #Messi

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