Here’s How the NFL Should Have Handled the DK Metcalf

I’m not quite sure what to call DK Metcalf’s closed-fist swing toward the head of a Lions fan leaning over the guardrail at Ford Field in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. Because, if you’ve ever seen a photo of Metcalf—and I’m sure you have—I think an actual punch would have knocked this Fraggle Rock–looking cosplayer through the roof of the indoor stadium.

Regardless, because of when and where Metcalf stood his ground, he wasn’t immediately detected by an official or—worse—one of the 6,000 television cameras floating around the stadium. He was not taken off the field of play for a single offensive snap of the Steelers’ 29–24 win that came down to the final play. His punishment, likely expulsion and a hefty fine, will be tomorrow’s news.

But on the matter itself, I have two thoughts. One of which would seem to be in line with NFL policy and our general thoughts on human nature. Another that may diverge from those norms, but I think is increasingly important as the liquid bravery of NFL fans marries with the more pervasive say-anything-online internet culture, which sometimes leads a simpleton like this to believe he’s tough enough to run his mouth in a live setting.

The first is easy. If a player is legitimately provoked and a fan crosses the plane from the stands to the field, striking that person should not automatically warrant a suspension. This is merely precedent at this point. Lamar Jackson throttled a Bills fan for hitting him upside the head in September, and the fan was banned from all NFL stadiums for life. There is language on the back of the ticket that—excuse the crude analogy—is the legal equivalent of saying: If you decide to dip your toe in the shark tank, we can’t help you.

While I’m not excusing violence, I am noting the inevitability of human nature. If you plan on plopping yourself into someone’s workplace and agitating them in a charged environment, there is a nonzero chance you’ll get walloped for the privilege. I think we should reserve judgement on Metcalf’s behavior until we have an accurate, two-sided transcript of what was said. If it was over the line and if the fan crossed over onto the field, Metcalf shouldn’t miss a game. If the opposite is true, Metcalf shouldn’t see the field for the remainder of this season. Fair enough, right?

My second point may seem contradictory, but allow me to explain. The moment the NFL became alerted to the matter, Metcalf should have been pulled from the game, at least for an evaluation or interview (along with the immediate expulsion of the fan, obviously). This is less punitive and more preventative, though the league could couple both into the country sheriff persona it enjoys. This is because, if Metcalf was this upset about something, we cannot predict how that event will affect an event on the field of play. In an environment already emotionally charged, a player who has clearly gone past “10” on his own personal thermometer may be prone to something more dangerous than standard tackling or handfighting. He may also be distracted and prone to putting himself in a spot where he gets unintentionally mowed over.

Curiously, the NFL did none of this. On the matter of Metcalf, the league is hiding behind the moment being nonreviewable because a flag wasn’t thrown. (Although in this particular matter, what would the call be? And is there precedent for officials policing the depth of the sidelines? How could a flag have been thrown on that play?) According to the Detroit Free Press, the fan was allowed to remain in his seat after being briefly spoken to by security (the fan claims he was attacked for repeating Metcalf’s full birthname, though that is one side of a complex story and the fan also stated that his “words did not matter.”) Clearly neither of them were of sound mind at the moment. And while nothing happened, saying that keeping both of them right where they were was a correct choice is like a bar celebrating the lack of automobile accidents after handing drunken patrons their car keys.

As the NFL’s resources expand, so should its ability to police matters like this more cleanly and effectively. Fans are never going to simply vacate the inner bowl of a stadium—unless they root for the Jets, obviously—and as clout-chasers and 15-seconds-of-fame-seekers become thirstier for an audience to provide them attention, not removing them from the stadium is simply an invitation for more invasive behavior that removes eyes from the actual product.

We cannot lose sight of just how grating all of this is on players who, even on the bottom rungs of the roster, have DMs packed with miscellaneous death threats and provocations about their family and friends. Their houses get robbed and vandalized on Sundays. Their kids get teased and hurled into public view. The solution should not—and cannot—be to just “suck it up and play.” Maybe the NFL understanding that and conveying as much to the players can send a message to fans who need to hear it.