Things got heated at Seattle Seahawks practice on Thursday, resulting in wide receiver DK Metcalf slamming a helmet into a teammate’s head.
The incident was captured in the background of an NFL Network report behind a panel of announcers. As a television segment aired, a fight broke out in the background between players practicing. One player brandished a helmet that hit another player in the head.
The player who brandished the helmet was Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler for the Seahawks. The Athletic was on the scene and K’Von Wallace Identified Security as the recipient of Metcalf’s helmet strike. Fortunately for Wallace, he was wearing his helmet and a Guardian cap and appeared to have emerged unscathed from the incident.
According to the report, Wallace was not Metcalf’s intended target, but rather cornerback Tre Brown. According to the report, Brown had been involved in fistfights throughout the day and had previously landed a punch to the face of wide receiver Jake Bobo.
In the Metcalf incident, Brown put a hand in Metcalf’s face, leading to an argument as they walked away, according to the report. Metcalf then charged at Brown and swung at him with his helmet, but instead hit Wallace in the head.
Rookie coach responds
Later that day, first-year head coach Michael Macdonald spoke to NFL Network about the incident.
“We’ve been working hard,” Macdonald said. “We’ve been here, I don’t know, 14 of the last 16 days. I think we’re tired of playing against each other.”
“We’re on a tightrope right now. I think the guys realize that, that you have to look out for each other. We definitely don’t want people fighting here and stuff, especially against our own teammates.”
According to Macdonald, this is all a thing of the past between teammates. He called his response to the fight “positive” and praised the message Metcalf sent to the team when it was over.
“Then DK gave a great message at the end of practice,” Macdonald said. “It just put everything in perspective. The guys finished the game the right way.”
This isn’t the first helmet hit to make headlines in the NFL. Former Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald hit his helmet during a fight at a joint practice against the Bengals in 2022.
Browns All-Pro Myles Garrett ripped off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet and then punched it in Rudolph’s unprotected head during a game in 2019. Fortunately for Rudolph, he was not injured in the incident.