Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is no stranger to controversy, and on Thursday, he provoked widespread criticism with an Instagram story. The wide receiver posted a picture on Instagram of a grocery worker stocking a meat case and mocked the stranger’s build and body-shamed him.
DK Metcalf Incurs the Wrath of NFL Fans
Steelers reporter Anthony Halkias posted the wide receiver’s story on X, and NFL fans blasted Metcalf’s behavior.
NFL fans on X were disgusted by Metcalf’s jab at the grocery worker:
One fan was not amused by Metcalf mocking an innocent old man working in a grocery store. The fan said, “What a (expletive) laughing at an old man that has to wear a jacket at work because he works in freezers.”
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One fan called out the Steelers for allowing the wide receiver’s behavior, writing, “Is this the message that’s approved, Steelers ? DK fat shaming @GiantEagle employees isn’t something I had on my bingo card.”
Is this the message that’s approved @steelers ?
DK fat shaming @GiantEagle employees isn’t something I had on my bingo card https://t.co/rsvchuIvkE
— Kel Varnsen (@Kel_Varnsen__) August 28, 2026
One fan slammed the wide receiver’s character, writing, “DK is an objectively terrible human being.”
DK is an objectively terrible human being https://t.co/NMtwuQ6TGn
— CincyDawg (@HailState_CO) August 28, 2026
Another fan mocked the Steelers for trading the unpredictable George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, only to end up with Metcalf.
The fan said, “Steelers traded Pickens bc Pickens was a wild card of a person.. only to trade for AND pay the real wild card.”
Steelers traded Pickens bc Pickens was a wild card of a person.. only to trade for AND pay the real Wild card 😆 https://t.co/PNTNgYDyMY
— Chris_J (@Shoesnsports_) August 28, 2026
Another fan said, “DK Metcalf, you ain’t right for this.”
One user on X said, “Every Steeler WR in history is a complete (expletive) weirdo lmao.”
One fan was brutal in his assessment of Metcalf’s likability. “DK Metcalf making it too easy to dislike him. (expletive) (expletive),” the fan blasted.
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Metcalf started his league career in Seattle after the Seahawks selected him with the No. 64 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The wide receiver was traded to the Steelers last year.
He courted controversy in December when he had a physical altercation with a fan during the Steelers’ Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions.
The NFL handed Metcalf a two-game suspension after the incident, and he had to forfeit $555,556 in salary. The suspension was costly for Metcalf, reportedly voiding $45 million in future guaranteed money according to his contract.
Metcalf earned a PFN Wide Receiver Impact score of 79.7 (No. 14 in the NFL) after tallying 850 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 59 receptions last season.
