The NFL isn’t just throwing flags on the field - it’s handing out fines off it, too. In Week 13, five players were hit with penalties for what the league categorized as “violent gestures,” and among them was Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Metcalf, along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Bucky Irving, Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, and Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, all found themselves lighter in the wallet after Sunday’s action. The fines ranged from $5,722 to $14,491, with Metcalf, Mayfield, and Collins each receiving the top-end amount.
For Metcalf, the fine stemmed from a finger gun celebration during Pittsburgh’s blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. After a play, he mimicked a firing motion - the kind of gesture the league has made a point to eliminate from the game in recent seasons. The NFL has been consistent in its messaging: celebrations are fine, but anything that crosses into violent or threatening symbolism is going to draw attention - and a fine.
This wasn’t an isolated incident for Pittsburgh, either. The Steelers saw two more of their own hit with fines in Week 13. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson and longtime defensive tackle Cameron Heyward were both disciplined by the league for separate infractions, adding to what was a rough weekend in more ways than one for the team.
While the league continues to walk a fine line between allowing player expression and maintaining a certain standard of conduct, gestures like the one Metcalf used remain firmly on the “no-go” list. The NFL’s stance has been clear: keep the celebrations fun, not aggressive.
For players, it's a reminder that while emotion is part of the game, the league is watching - and so is the fine department.