Report: San Francisco 49ers Incentivized to Make Seattle Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf ‘Lose His Mind’
Seattle Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf has a reputation around the league as a hothead, and unfortunately, he reinforced that reputation in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
With around three minutes left, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner picked off a Drew Lock pass to essentially ice the game. Metcalf tackled Warner with a body slam, which led to Warner pushing Metcalf in retaliation and then the receiver grabbing him by the face mask. Metcalf was ejected on the play, as was 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.
"If you want to call it frustration, yes, it was frustration," Metcalf told reporters after the game. "From my side, he hit me in the back of the head. I just retaliated."
Warner also offered his side of the story, but seemed more confused about Metcalf's reaction than anything.
Metcalf grabs Warner by the face mask in Sunday's game.
"I don't know what happened. I told him he tackled really well and then for some reason he didn't like that," Warner told reporters. "I guess what happened, happened. That's unfortunate. He has to learn to keep his composure, but happy we came out with the win."
Apparently, getting Metcalf to lose his cool was part of San Francisco's game plan. According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan predicted that Metcalf would lose control at some point, and even offered a humorous incentive to whoever could make it happen.
"'We will get ‘14’ to lose his mind,'” Shanahan said during a team meeting, as quoted by Silver. “'Christmas present for whoever gets him.'”
Metcalf finished the game with just two receptions for 52 yards, even after top 49ers corner Charvarius Ward left in the opening series. It remains to be seen if Metcalf will be disciplined for the scuffle, but considering he has already been fined four separate times this season, it wouldn't be a surprise if the star receiver's wallet takes another hit.
