The NFL has seemingly closed the book on DK Metcalf’s altercation with a fan, upholding his two-game suspension Tuesday evening following an appeals hearing earlier in the day. The league also declined to take any action against the fan involved, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

“Meanwhile, the NFL and the Lions will not take action against the fan involved in the altercation with Steelers WR DK Metcalf on Sunday in Detroit because ‘there was no violation of the fan code of conduct,’ per source,” Pelissero wrote.

Meanwhile, the NFL and the Lions will not take action against the fan involved in the altercation with Steelers WR DK Metcalf on Sunday in Detroit because “there was no violation of the fan code of conduct,” per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 24, 2025

DK Metcalf’s appeal was reportedly centered on his belief that he was provoked into action. It’s hard to argue against that, given the video footage that has surfaced showing the fan celebrating the events that transpired. He appeared to say “That was the goal” before ripping his shirt off and gloating to the crowd around him.

Chad Johnson and James Harrison separately confirmed, via private conversations with Metcalf, that he was alleging racial slurs and derogatory terms from the fan aimed at his mother. A separate report indicated that this same fan caused an issue last year while Metcalf was still on the Seattle Seahawks.

Harrison expanded on what was told to him by Metcalf on X Tuesday evening.

“This isn’t his (the fan) first offense! I’ve heard he committed a similar act when DK was in Seattle last year,” Harrison wrote. “However, in that instance, witnesses heard him call his mother out her name and use a racial slur. Consequently, he was removed from the game last year. Considering this, why is he back just a year later?”

This isn’t his (the fan) first offense! I’ve heard he committed a similar act when DK was in Seattle last year. However, in that instance, witnesses heard him call his mother out her name and use a racial slur. Consequently, he was removed from the game last year. Considering…

— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) December 23, 2025

The fan, with help from legal counsel, issued a statement on Monday vehemently denying the use of any racial slurs. The fan explained that he just used DK Metcalf’s full legal name. It doesn’t take much to know there was more to it than that, but there wasn’t much evidence of the allegations in this incident. It would make slightly more sense if the worst of the fan’s behavior was allegedly last year.

Whatever it may have been, the NFL’s investigation did not go in Metcalf’s favor. All the NFL would have been able to do is ban him from future events, but they did not find anything that violated the fan code of conduct. Outlined in that code of conduct is the following.

“Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures,” and “Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature.”

Thus, it can be concluded that the NFL found zero evidence of Metcalf’s allegations.