Aaron Rodgers thinks NFL fans should be held to a certain standard after a Lions supporter appeared to provoke his Steelers teammate DK Metcalf on Sunday.
The league suspended Metcalf for two games after he took a swipe at the fan, Ryan Kennedy, who had been shouting at the wide receiver behind the Steelers’ bench, according to videos posted to social media.
“I think there’s a mindset that you pay for a ticket, you can say whatever the hell you want,” Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday. “I think there should be some sort of code of conduct. Obviously that was intentional, and I think there was some celebration afterward on his part. Obviously don’t condone what DK did, but I understand. There’s been a lot of crazy comments said my way over the years. The truth is that would never happen face to face.
“There’s two sides to every story. I support DK, I’ll continue to support DK.”
One video from after the altercation appears to show the Lions fan saying, “that was the goal,” after Metcalf confronted him.
Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson alleged on his “Nightcap” podcast that the fan called Metcalf a racial slur.
“Obviously I am not condoning putting your hands on a fan or punching the fan, but he did call him a racial slur, called him the n-word and he did call his mom a c–t,” Johnson said.
Kennedy, through his lawyers, denied the allegations. He shared his perspective with the Detroit Free Press after Sunday’s game.
“What my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” Kennedy told the outlet. “He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that, and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
The NFL is still reviewing the matter, but as of Wednesday no actions had been taken against Kennedy. The suspension voids $45 million in guarantees in Metcalf’s contract.
Rodgers believes fan behavior has changed with the prevalence of gambling, fantasy football and social media.
“A lot of that stuff is really good for the sport. Now, at the same time, as you’re seeing parts of society erode, maybe the conduct has changed over the years,” Rodgers said, per ESPN.
Metcalf is set to miss the final two games of the regular season as the Steelers (9-6) look to lock up the AFC North.
If the Ravens (7-8) lose to the Packers on Saturday night, Pittsburgh will win the division. It’s unclear if Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will play due to injury. Should the Ravens win, the Steelers can clinch the division with a win over the Browns.
The Steelers and Ravens play each other in Week 18.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
