Riding a three-game winning streak, on the verge of clinching a division title and with Christmas morning beckoning just hours away, spirits should have been high in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room Wednesday.
Its longest-tenured member, though, noted regret that there was a significant absence from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
“One thing I don’t understand in these situations,” Cameron Heyward said of DK Metcalf’s suspension announced Tuesday evening, “is when a guy gets suspended we keep him out of the locker room, we keep him out of the facility.
“I know DK is in a much better (personal) situation (than some), but there are plenty of guys who get lost in those situations. This is a family, this is a team. When you take somebody and rip somebody from that and say, ‘Hey, you’re suspended without pay,’ what are we really saying? We’re putting those guys at a disadvantage.”
Metcalf’s two-game suspension began in earnest Wednesday as the Steelers practiced in preparation for Sunday’s game at the Cleveland Browns. Metcalf’s discipline — levied by the NFL on Monday and upheld on appeal Tuesday — came as the result of his actions in a confrontation with a Lions fan during Sunday’s Steelers win in Detroit.
A league spokesman confirmed to TribLive on Wednesday that although designated appeals officer Chris Palmer — a former NFL coach — upheld the full two-game suspension for Metcalf that the league continued an investigation into the fan involved in the altercation with Metcalf.
“The matter remains under review,” Chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.
Cameras caught Metcalf grabbing the man — identified as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Mich. — by his shirt collar and then shoving him away.
The NFL Network reported that the Lions found no violation of its fan code of conduct and that the team does not plan any disciplinary action against the fan.
Through former NFL players James Harrison and Chad Ochocinco on their respective video podcasts — the latter, directly citing Metcalf — Metcalf has alleged that Kennedy used vile racial and misogynistic language directed at Metcalf.
The fan, via his attorney, strongly denied using such words. Videos both from CBS and fans in the area do not provide any proof of anything said.
The NFL is looking into if Kennedy violated the Lions’ guest code of conduct, which in very broad terms requires fans to avoid “behavior that is unruly, unhealthy, disruptive or illegal in nature,” or “(u)sing foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.”
Metcalf, the Steelers’ leader in receiving yards, has not spoken publicly since the incident.
The Steelers’ longtime defensive captain, Heyward said Metcalf’s teammates will support him while he’s away from the team for two weeks.
“(By keeping) talking to him, ask what he needs, say Merry Christmas,” Heyward said. “Keep his presence felt in this locker room.”
Heyward serves as the Steelers’ representative to the NFLPA, but he said he was not on a call the union had in regards to Metcalf.
Heyward said it’s not uncommon for players to hear heckling from fans “before, during (and) after” games.
“It’s just part of the game,” he said. “I like it when they are quiet. It means we’re doing our job.
“There are some inappropriate things. As professionals, we have to keep moving beyond that. It’s easier in basketball when you can point a guy out and say get him out of here. Football there is a lot more going on. It shouldn’t be tolerated at all. I respect them as they come watch us play, and they should respect us as we try to put on a good show for them.”