Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf Gets Hefty Fines For Cheap Shot vs. Rams

The Seattle Seahawks' 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams was a frustrating loss for the entire team, and no player felt that frustration quite like receiver D.K. Metcalf.

Unfortunately for Metcalf, his frustration wound up costing his team. Late in the fourth quarter, Metcalf laid a very late hit on Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon far away from the play. To make matters worse, he then got a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct during the following injury timeout, pushing the Seahawks back 15 yards and essentially killing the drive.

Metcalf's hit didn't just cost the Seahawks, but also cost him a good chunk of change. On Saturday, the NFL levied two separate fines towards Metcalf. The star receiver was fined $10,927 for the hit itself, then another $10,927 for the unsportsmanlike conduct for a total of $21,854.

The NFL fined #Seahawks WR DK Metcalf $10,927 for unnecessary roughness – decking #Rams DB Akhello Witherspoon away from the play, incensing coach Sean McVay – and another $10,927 for unsportsmanlike conduct a short time later in last week’s opener.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2023

After the game, Metcalf defended his actions by claiming he was just trying to block Witherspoon, who left the game after the hit.

"I guess I blocked him a little too hard and pushed him to the ground, and he got up mad because he felt like I blocked him in the back," Metcalf said. "But I mean, that’s just how I play. I block every play when I don’t have the ball and I’m never taking a play off or jogging, trying to take a play off. So that’s what transpired."

Metcalf has had issues with penalties throughout his career. According to ESPN, Metcalf has now been flagged eight times for unsportsmanlike conduct, taunting, unnecessary roughness or disqualification, the most in the NFL since 2019. In the wake of the latest incident, Seahawks coached Pete Carroll acknowledged that Metcalf must do a better job of keeping his emotions in check.

"DK and I talked for a long time last night about [how] that's not what we can allow to happen because that means that they can control him and get after him," Carroll said. "So, he has to elevate above that. So it's a challenge. This is nothing new. DK's been an emotional, feisty, fiery player since the day he got here, and that is who he is. But he has to also manage that so they don't take advantage of it."

At the very least, Metcalf is fortunate that the NFL didn't suspend him for the hit.