DK Metcalf Channels His Inner Kobe Bryant to Trash Talk Opponents in a Unique Way Without Getting Fined for It by the NFL

The number of fines given out for excessive celebrations is slowly decreasing in football. This is the result of the NFL cracking down on unsportsmanlike conduct to make the game more positive for the younger audience. However, the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has found a way around the league’s strict policies on taunting other players during a game.

Metcalf is walking down the path laid out by the GOAT of basketball, Kobe Bryant. His rivalry with San Antonio Spurs player Tony Parker is legendary. Since Parker is French-American, Kobe learned his mother tongue just so he could take a dig at him on the hardwood court whenever he one-upped him. So, what language did Metcalf learn?

DK Metcalf learns ASL to taunt opponents and stay clear of being fined

Metcalf loves trash-talking. In his 4 years of playing professional football, he has amassed a total of $98,033 in fines for unsportsmanlike conduct and excessive celebration. And when the amount started burning a hole in his pocket, instead of stopping his trash-talking, he just learned American Sign Language to escape the referees’ scrutiny. In the game against the Dallas Cowboys, we saw the latest insult.

After catching a TD pass from QB Geno Smith, Metcalf made some hand gestures that seemed to be unintelligible to most viewers. But it was later pointed out that he had said “Standing on business” in ASL. What does that mean? It comes from a viral TikTok reel which means “taking care of your responsibilities”.

He had first used the ASL in his game against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11. He scored a TD in the first quarter, then signed “44, my son”. The wideout aimed the taunt at CB Ahkello Witherspoon, whose jersey number is 44. While Metcalf just did it to irk his opponents on the field, Kobe Bryant learned French to target a specific rival.

Kobe Bryant learned French to mess with Tony Parker

The Black Mamba did not just triumph over his enemies on the field through his own physical and mental conditioning but also by playing psychological games with his opponents. He always sought to find an edge over his opponents in any way possible. And Parker was his most extreme case.

Kobe asked his teammate, Ronny Turiaf, to teach him French who proceeded to teach him the language over a season. When Parker and Bryant faced off, Kobe flexed his new linguistic abilities on Parker to try to throw him off his game. But Parker had this reaction: “I would look at him and give him no reaction. But in my head, I found it hilarious that he had taken the time to learn our language to try and knock me off my game.”

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But how long will Metcalf manage to get away with this before the authorities find a way to penalize him for this as well?

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