Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is 6-foot-3. Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford is shorter. Pointing that out after a Steelers touchdown last week cost Metcalf nearly $15,000.
Metcalf was fined $14,491 by the NFL on Saturday after he celebrated Jaylen Warren’s 1-yard touchdown by holding his right hand to the ground in the direction of Benford — giving a signal that the Buffalo cornerback was “too small” in a celebration first popularized in the NBA.
#Steelers WR DK Metcalf was fined $14,491 for a "violent gesture" against the #Bills last week.
Apparently, hitting Christian Benford with the "too small" celebration constituted violence. pic.twitter.com/bzymyBTLdX
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) December 6, 2025
In announcing the fine, the NFL called the play a “violent gesture” on behalf of Metcalf. It certainly can be construed as unsportsmanlike conduct, but calling Benford short hardly constitutes violence.
Metcalf and Benford had been jawing after the Steelers wide receiver blocked the Buffalo cornerback to the ground on the previous play. Amusingly, driving Benford into the ground and jumping on top of him was considered perfectly legal violence, but holding a hand parallel to the ground is an impossibly violent gesture.
That fine was one of four assessed to the Steelers from Sunday’s game. Cam Heyward was fined $11,593 for taunting Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen. Linebacker Payton Wilson was fined $7,066 twice, one for a late hit and another for a blindside block, both on kickoff returns.
#Steelers DT Cam Heyward was fined $11,593 for taunting #Bills QB Josh Allen last week, following a Buffalo touchdown.pic.twitter.com/YGuKY0niMl
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) December 6, 2025
#Steelers ILB Payton Wilson was fined two separate times for a total of $14,132 for unnecessary roughness against the #Bills, one for blocking after the whistle, the other for a blindside block, both on kickoff returns. pic.twitter.com/tXxgsNuuu9
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) December 6, 2025
Metcalf was previously fined $12,172 for putting his fingers in the facemask of Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker in Week 8.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers WR DK Metcalf Hit with Absurd Fine for ‘Violent Gesture’
