There\u2019s a proverb to teach children to ignore bullies and not retaliate physically.<\/p>\n
\u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” it goes.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a lesson the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 DK Metcalf sure could have used Sunday in Detroit.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 29-24 victory against the Lions.<\/p>\n
Metcalf reportedly will appeal the ban<\/a>, which could prove extremely costly for the wideout and perhaps damaging to his team\u2019s playoff hopes.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s lone playoff berth without their leading receiver.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in his contract.<\/p>\n Videos show Metcalf walking behind the Steelers\u2019 bench and the team\u2019s medical tent and reaching up to grab the fan \u2014 who was leaning over the railing and wearing a blue wig \u2014 by the shirt and pulling him closer. After exchanging words, Metcalf forcibly pushed the man away.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n\n The fan, identified by the Detroit Free Press as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Mich., claimed he called Metcalf by his \u201cgovernment name\u201d of DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.<\/p>\n Former NFL wide receiver Chad \u201cOchocinco\u201d Johnson, on his \u201cNightcap\u201d podcast, claimed he \u201cgot word\u201d that Kennedy used a racial slur against Metcalf and a misogynistic slur against the receiver\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n Metcalf didn\u2019t speak with reporters after Sunday\u2019s game. If what Johnson says is proven, then Kennedy should be banned from all NFL stadiums.<\/p>\n There are reports Metcalf reported the same fan to team security while playing last season with the Seattle Seahawks.<\/p>\n Which is even more reason Metcalf shouldn\u2019t have been anywhere close to the stands Sunday at Ford Field.<\/p>\n He should have been lobbying quarterback Aaron Rodgers for more targets, not using rabbit ears to be distracted by a voice in the crowd \u2014 even one potentially so profane.<\/p>\n