Trash talking is slowly decreasing in the NFL. Whether fans, players and coaches like it or not, the league is cracking down on taunting, as they want their participants to set a good example for the younger audience.
There are undoubtedly ways to get around the flags and fines, but DK Metcalf has found the perfect loophole: sign language.
The Seahawks wide receiver has admitted that he has begun taking ASL (American sign language) classes on his off days, learning the different hand motions to communicate with deaf people. While he may very well be picking up ASL due to family or friends who are hearing-impaired, he's also bringing the unique language on the field with him.
MORE: What to know about Seattle's '90s-era throwback jersey, helmet
Here is more on Metcalf's sign language and his reason for picking it up.
DK Metcalf sign language, explained
Metcalf's sign language was first noticed in Week 11. After he scored a first-quarter touchdown against the Rams, he had a unique celebration, touching his hand to his chest before putting his palm to his forehead and then back down towards his chest.
Turns out, it was a way of taunting Los Angeles cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, as Metcalf signed "44, my son."
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf takes sign language classes on off days so he can talk trash to opposing players without getting flagged 💀
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 22, 2023
After scoring on Rams' CB Ahkello Witherspoon Sunday, Metcalf signed "#44, my son" pic.twitter.com/VhrZwjMW5X
He did it again in Week 13 on "Thursday Night Football" when the Seahawks opened the prime time matchup against the Cowboys with a 73-yard touchdown from Geno Smith to Metcalf. This time, he signed, "Stand on business."
DK turned on the jets 🚀#SEAvsDAL on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/YcXzMZb8jY pic.twitter.com/tY85nts0S0
In Week 14, Metcalf found the end zone once more, getting on the board in the first quarter of the Seahawks' loss to the 49ers. He had a new message to send this time, later explaining that he was signing, "I’m a dog, woof!"
1️⃣4️⃣ for the score! pic.twitter.com/Uex1MywSET
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 10, 2023
Birthday man DK Metcalf says his latest ASL celebration after his touchdown catch at 49ers was “I’m a dog. Woof!”
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 14, 2023
Says it got the idea from a @Migos song playing at a #Seahawks practice last week @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/Bsgk8nAQdO
While it may not have been picked up by fans until mid-November, Metcalf has discussed the topic before. He went on The Rich Eisen Show earlier in the season where he brought up learning sign language and the reason behind it.
"I kept getting flagged for my mouthing, so got to sign my s—talking now," Metcalf explained.
Eisen brought up a great point — what happens if an official on the field knows sign language and understands what Metcalf is signing?
"I'll just be talking to him on the side, we'll have our own dialogue," Metcalf said with a chuckle. "It's somebody else to talk to."
The classes Metcalf were taken were online, so he had not met his ALS teacher, Darrell Utley, in person. That changed in Week 16, as the Seahawks wide receiver and Utley finally got the chance to get together face-to-face ahead of Seattle's matchup against Tennessee.
DK meets his ASL teacher, Darrell Utley, for the first time. pic.twitter.com/aUBNTMBlK6
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 24, 2023
So if there are any football fans out there who also know sign language, watch the next time you see Metcalf making hand motions. He may be speaking a language only a select few can understand.
So if there are any football fans out there who also know sign language, watch the next time you see Metcalf making hand motions. He may be speaking a language only a select few can understand.
--
Sporting News may earn an affiliate commission through our links. The Sporting News' affiliates have no influence over the editorial content included in this article.
