Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrates his touchdown using American Sign Language during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrates his touchdown using American Sign Language during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Kyosung Jung/AFP
When Darryl Utley began his first American Sign Language lesson with a new student, he didn’t realize his client was a star football player.
“I had no idea what his life was like. I just knew he wanted to learn,” Utley told NPR. Morning edition.
DK Metcalf, a receiver with the Seattle Seahawks, was looking for a distraction off the field.
He told reporters that he took an American Sign Language course in college and decided to take it a step further.
Metcalf connected with Utley purely by chance when he asked his agent to find a coach.
“So he reached out to the Sign Language Center and it was very serendipitous about how we connected [there] “For no other reason than I was the next available translator,” Utley said.
Metcalf showed off his new skills on one of America’s biggest platforms – the NFL end zone.
Trash talk in ASL
After beating Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Weatherspoon — wearing No. 44 — to the ball for a touchdown, Metcalf signed “44, my son.”
He actually joked that using American Sign Language kept him from being singled out by the judges for trash talking.
After escaping the Dallas Cowboys’ defense to score, Metcalf signed the phrase “Standing Business” — slang for “taking care of business.”
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) rushes into the end zone to score a touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys chase down DaRon Bland (26) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. .
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) rushes into the end zone to score a touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys chase down DaRon Bland (26) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. .
Michael Ainsworth/AP
So far, Ottley has been impressed with his student.
“In general, many students who get to this point where they want to take these classes and sessions, they have commitment and passion and dedication, and DK is no different,” Utley told NPR.
Utley’s older brother, Barry Utley, a certified ASL translator with Sorenson Communications, helped conduct the interview.
“He’s really committed. He asks a lot of pertinent questions,” Darrell Utley said of Metcalf. “He’s asking to make sure he’s saying things correctly, because if there’s a wrong movement or a wrong position, a wrong hand shape, things can go out of context very quickly.”
That’s why Utley believes it’s important for Metcalfe, a deaf person, to learn from him.
“A lot of hearing people when they learn American Sign Language, they’re learning from other hearing people. So sometimes the translations are a little inappropriate, culturally inappropriate,” Utley said. “DK is trying to learn from a direct source within the community. Being a deaf person, sharing my language and culture, he takes all of that in and cherishes what he learns outside of just the language.”
Asked about concerns that using American Sign Language as trash talk might be considered appropriation, Utley wasn’t concerned.
“A lot of hearing people when they want to learn sign language, they say, ‘Hey, how do we sign the n-word? How do we sign this n-word or this vulgar word?’ Utley noted. “But, you know, he’s not doing it per se. He’s using some different forms of language to send a message himself. So I don’t see that as inappropriate.”
Flair and flair
In fact, Utley said Metcalf brought his own style to American Sign Language.
“American Sign Language,” Utley explained, “is a visual language. As such, you can see a lot of the characters coming through two different locations using the language.” “It’s not unlike the intonation of voice in spoken English, where you might hear some different inflections and different intonation, as well as regional accents. So, yeah, he definitely has his own swagger and his own flair.”
Utley is thrilled Metcalf is bringing that flair to the NFL.
“There’s a lot of deaf gains, as we call it, within the community,” Utley said. “Seeing that happen, it has some merit within our community, and to see someone who has heard of his stature use American Sign Language, and his platform is amazing.”
Inspiring others
Seeing an NFL star using American Sign Language (ASL) has deaf football players excited, too.
“I think it’s great to see someone with a big platform sign,” said Jack Scarborough, a senior advocate at Gallaudet University, a private university for the deaf and the signing community.
“It brings awareness of American Sign Language to millions of people, and best of all, it shows everyone that American Sign Language is fun to use, fun to watch, and a unique language that everyone should learn at some point in their lives,” Scarborough added.
Back in the NFL, Metcalf’s Seahawks will travel to Tennessee, where Utley is based, to take on the Giants on Christmas Eve.
Metcalfe said he would invite his teacher to the game — a sign of their budding friendship.
The audio version of this story was edited by Muhammad Al-Bardisi. The digital story was edited by Treye Green.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf recently made headlines for his commitment to learning American Sign Language (ASL) from Tennessee-based coach Darrell Utley. Metcalf, known for his impressive athleticism on the football field, has set out to broaden his communication skills and connect with the deaf and hard of hearing community. With the help of Utley, a renowned ASL coach and advocate, Metcalf is taking steps towards inclusivity and accessibility, demonstrating his dedication to being a well-rounded and empathetic athlete. This initiative has sparked a conversation about the importance of learning ASL and has brought attention to the efforts of individuals like Utley who work to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing worlds.