I couldn’t make out which one of DK Metcalf’s teammates was singing. I was just stunned that someone so young even knew the lyrics.

But once the Steelers’ wide receiver made his return to the locker room Monday afternoon, I distinctly heard someone crooning the refrain John Sebastian’s “WelcomeBack.”

You know it. The theme from “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

OK, maybe some of you know it. If you’re in your late 40s or older.

That song was recorded for that sitcom in 1976. Even Aaron Rodgers was seven years away from being born.

So, consider this a golf clap from me to whoever it was on the team that appreciates an appropriately timed, antiquated pop-culture reference.

Even if it was lost on everyone in that room but yours truly — including all the other reporters.

But if there were hard feelings toward Metcalf for removing himself from the locker room for two games by virtue of his NFL suspension for taking a swipe at a fan in Detroit on Dec. 21, it wasn’t obvious from his teammates.

Metcalf seemed to be welcomed back with open arms, even though his self-induced absence was a big reason for the club’s Week 17 loss in Cleveland, and it nearly cost the organization a berth in the playoffs.

“My teammates gave me another opportunity to come back. So … just a big shout out to them,” Metcalf said.

It’s hard to relate to Metcalf. Even by NFL standards, he’s a uniquely gifted athlete. At 6-foot-3, 229 pounds with 4.33 speed, even the one-percenters among NFL players marvel at his physical gifts.

And his bank account—which boasts $96.1 million in career earnings at age 28.

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Related:

• First Call: Stunning stat about Steelers-Ravens final kick; Russell Wilson’s potentially costly comment
• Madden Monday: Steelers beating Ravens will lead to Mike Tomlin ‘coaching (here) forever,’ Aaron Rodgers returning in ’26
• Feats of Strength: Aaron Rodgers’ response drives and early defensive stands help Steelers clinch AFC North over Baltimore

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That said, just about anyone in Pittsburgh can understand Metcalf in one respect. He couldn’t tolerate watching the second half of that loss in Cleveland either.

“I didn’t watch the second half of Cleveland,” Metcalf said. “Just watching it from a different perspective was difficult for me.”

Understandable. Knowing that he could have been out there to help the team score at least one touchdown during an ignominious 13-6 defeat must’ve been torturous. Especially when the passing game muddled its way to just 168 yards on 41 dropbacks.

During his interaction with the media Monday, Metcalf referenced the emotional “roller coaster” he was riding while being away from games for two weeks while serving his league-mandated suspension.

Hopefully, two of those emotions were guilt and regret, because his reactionary act of petulance nearly resulted in his team losing out on a chance to end the eight-year playoff-win hex that’s been hanging over the entire franchise.

“I feel full responsibility for my actions,” Metcalf said. “I’ve got the utmost respect for, and confidence in, my teammates for still going out there and performing to the best of their abilities.”

Unfortunately, “the best of their abilities” for the Steelers’ other wide receivers was a combined total of just 175 receiving yards over two games prior to Calvin Austin’s huge 26-yard, game-winning touchdown to beat Baltimore Sunday night and assure a playoff spot.

Metcalf had 148 yards by himself against the Ravens the first time around. Yet, he let his temper get the best of him in Week 16, and he found himself away from the team for the franchise’s two most pivotal games of the season.

This from a guy who already has 16 different fines from the league under his belt.

Was Metcalf’s suspension severe based on previous NFL precedent? Yes.

Was the fan in Detroit that Metcalf shoved a jerk? For sure.

Did that guy get what he deserved? Probably not. He probably deserved worse.

But in Metcalf’s role as a uniformed NFL player mid-game, he’s not in a position to dole out any form of justice. All he did was set himself up to feel the wrath of it.

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There’s one way for Metcalf to atone for his mistake. And it’s not publicly flogging himself with a wet noodle, and making us buy his remorse.

It’s going out and having the game of his life against the NFL’s No.1-ranked defense when the Houston Texans visit for an AFC playoff game Monday night.

Vinnie Barbarino and the Sweathogs would expect nothing less than a touchdown or two.

“What could ever lead ya….

…back here where we need ya?

Yeah we tease him a lot

‘Cause we got him on the spot

Welcome back!”

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LISTEN: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discus the Steelers-Texans game during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast.