Who Is DK Metcalf’s ASL Teacher Darrell Utley? More Details About Utley and His Teachings

DK Metcalf is one of the best wide receivers in the league. But recently, the Seahawks‘ WR has had a far bigger impact outside the field, probably without realizing it. Metcalf has been learning American Sign Language (ASL) to trash talk to his opponents and get away without consequences. For instance, he made headlines with his “standing on business” sign when he strode into the end zone for a first-quarter score against the Cowboys.

In a Seahawks press conference, the WR revealed that he has learned the skill from a person named Darrell Utley. He also revealed some of his background and family information. Interestingly, according to Mr. Utley, what Metcalf doesn’t realize is his influence on the deaf community, which Utley himself is a representative of.

Here’s all about DK Metcalf’s ASL teacher

Earlier in a press conference, the WR gave insights about his ASL teacher, who he reportedly meets on Zoom once a week. As per Metcalf, Utley had told him that he was a resident of Tennessee, living with his wife and two daughters. As the Seahawks faced off against the Titans in NFL Week 16, Mr. Utley paid a visit to Metcalf at Tennessee’s Nissan Stadium.

The WR further shared that his teacher was deaf, and seeing him smile made him happy. “Just shedding light on the ASL community, the deaf community to where more people are starting to learn ASL and starting to take heed to”, he also shared what he felt about the community while learning the language.

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But Metcalf further revealed that trash-talking was not his primary goal when he intended to learn ASL, but he discovered the prospect of using it in the games later.

Darrell Utley feels that Metcalf’s ASL usage is more than trash talks

Metcalf describes himself as an explorer and rapid learner. He had previously got into acting for some time. But Metcalf’s current learnings directly impact the game. He uses ASL to make certain signs and manages to fly under the radar of official rules. But it wasn’t always the case. “I think it started out as me trying to learn something new, and then the reffing thing kind of got thrown in the mix to where it kind of turned into trash talk”, he revealed in the conference.

Whatever Metcalf’s purpose is, Utley thinks it has had a huge influence on deaf people, and more people are learning about it. “I don’t think he realizes the impact he’s creating for the Deaf community, specifically on ASL”, his teacher said via an interpreter on National Public Radio. Many of the deaf children are never exposed to the language, and their parents mostly opt for cochlear implants. But seeing a national icon like Matcalf use it might change their mind, believes Utley. The WR might use it to banter with his opponents on the field, but it has a far bigger positive impact on society than football.

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