Every Tuesday, Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf sits in front of his computer. But he doesn’t just watch film or highlights, like his 73-yard reception in Week 13, where he hit 22.23 mph to make Fastest ball carrier in the league since 2020. He takes American Sign Language classes on Zoom.
“I’ve had seven lessons now,” Metcalf said last week. “I think it’s great to learn something new.”
Although many believe Metcalf began his journey to study American Sign Language for the sole purpose of secretly discrediting his opponents, the 26-year-old wide receiver has taken up the language for a far more important reason: to showcase sign language on a national stage.
“People who are new to learning American Sign Language are starting to pay attention to…‘What’s he signing?’ “The curiosity factor comes where he’s signing,” Metcalf said. “It started with me trying to learn something new and then arbitration came into play.” “The mix where it turned into kind of trash talk, but I’m trying to learn a new language, simple as that.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Metcalf learning ASL:
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Why does DK Metcalf take sign language lessons?
Metcalf first took an ASL course at the University of Mississippi, where he recorded 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns in 21 games before being drafted by the Seahawks in 2019. Metcalf said he wanted to revisit the ASL last summer “to exercise my mind and try to learn something new.”
He reached out to Darryl Utley, a teacher at the Sign Language Center, hoping to master the language. Utley told USA TODAY Sports that he wasn’t familiar with Metcalf before his one-hour classes, but he quickly learned about the Pro Bowl receiver’s impact and the hype he created around the ASL.
“I have to admit that I didn’t know who he was for a while. I didn’t know him by name as someone who had the level he did and was a great football player,” Utley said in an interview on the channel. Translated by Barry Utley. “I’m not a sports fanatic… but now with (Metcalf) people are like, ‘Hey, did you see him sign something then?’ Then I realize, ‘OK, this is my student and we have this connection.’”
DK Metcalf didn’t learn American Sign Language just to talk trash
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” in October, Metcalf said he uses sign language to circumvent unsportsmanlike conduct fines during his celebrations. “I kept getting signals from my mouth, so I should sign my (expletive) now,” he said.
But that was not his motivation behind learning the language.
“I challenge myself to learn something new and also to shine a light on a community that I didn’t know feels invisible or feels forgotten,” Metcalf said.
Utley said he did not find Metcalfe’s celebrations inappropriate. In fact, he sees it as quite the opposite: “I don’t think it makes American Sign Language look bad. If anything, it highlights the language. … I’m thrilled that he wants to use the sign language he’s learning.
“People who learn American Sign Language always want to learn some swear words,” Utley added. “(Metcalf) never asked me, ‘Hey, how do I sign this if I want to talk about this inappropriately?’” For example, he recently said, “44 is my son.” He never asked me. We didn’t write it, we didn’t plan ahead. “For him to do it. I had no idea he was going to plan to do it on the pitch. It’s just something when we exchange language and culture and things. He found a new way to do it.”
What did DK Metcalfe say in sign language?
“44 is my son”
During the Seahawks’ 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11, Metcalf scored an 8-yard touchdown while being covered by Rams CB Ahkello Weatherspoon, wearing number 44. Metcalf signed “44 is my boy” in celebration in the end zone.
Utley explained to USA TODAY Sports how Metcalf applied his lessons to this ASL celebration:
“When we approach our lessons, for example, there are different topics we talk about. So in this case, there are pronouns – you, me, yours, mine. We talked about numbers, from one number to how high we have reached… Family” Names of members How to sign for father, mother, son and daughter. Shortly after that, he was able to use it normally. He said, “44 is my son.” He probably learned that because of the lesson, which made me laugh a little. I know he’s already learning. He is able to find real application in his life on the field.
“Stand on business”
During the Seahawks’ 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 13, Metcalf caught a pass from Geno Smith and ran it 73 yards for a touchdown. In front of a prime-time audience of more than 15 million viewers on Amazon Prime Video, Metcalf celebrated his “Stand Up in Business” signing. It’s a lyric from Drake’s 2023 song “Daylight” that means taking care of your obligations and responsibilities.
“Everybody can give (Seahawks) player Boy (Maffei) credit for that,” Metcalf explained afterward, referring to teammate Boy (Maffei), who signs “I love you” in the sky at every game in honor of his late mother.
“Actually, Bowie did it as he was walking out of the meeting on Wednesday night. He did it once and I was like…again,” Metcalf said as he signed off, “Again.”
“He (Boy) signed a contract. I said: ‘Okay, I’ll do it tomorrow if I score a goal.’
He did just that.
“I’m a dog, woof”
During the Seahawks’ 28-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Metcalf scored a 31-yard touchdown on 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir. (Both Metcalf and Lenoir were later eliminated from the contest after a dust-up.) Metcalf celebrated his result by signing the lyrics to Migos’ 2016 song “Bad and Boujee” with “I’m a dog, woof.” He said he heard the song during training, which inspired his post-touchdown celebration.
49ers’ long snapper Tybor Bieber shared an expletive-laden message directed at Metcalf after the game and attempted to sign “14 (expletive) and find out.”
DK Metcalf brings Swift-like awareness to ASL
Utley, who does not support any particular team, said the Metcalf ASL festivities created “a natural attraction for me to want to watch the game. There’s a certain buzz around it that I enjoy.” He compared the buzz Metcalf created within the ASL community to that of Taylor Swift, who introduced a new group of fans to soccer through her romance with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.
“Suddenly people who never watched football before are now watching it because of the relationship between Travis (Kelce) and Taylor (Swift),” Utley said. “I think it’s good to have another similarity or parallel to ASL and DK (Metcalf). Everyone wants to see what happens next. So, it’s cool.”
Utley explained that it’s deeper than just a celebration, and that Metcalf is helping to “normalize and also raise awareness” of American Sign Language. “It’s amazing how one person creates such a positive ripple effect,” he added.
“I don’t know if he understands or realizes the impact. It’s a huge impact on the signing and American Sign Language communities. We as deaf people typically struggle with accessibility. … This is part of our life experience,” Utley said.
More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, a point emphasized by Utley. “ASL is not always the first choice,” he said. “It leads to language deprivation. American Sign Language is a visual language and without that early exposure they miss out on that and it creates a huge gap in a child’s developmental years.”
DK Metcalf and Darrell Utley will meet in Tennessee
The Seahawks (6-7) travel to Tennessee to face the Titans (5-8) on Christmas Eve in Week 16. Metcalf, who has never met Utley in person before, except via Zoom, said he plans to invite his Tennessee-based coach to the game. Utley accepted “absolutely.”
He reached out to me and asked if I was interested in joining. And of course I said: Yes! “We look forward to it,” Utley said. “It’s always nice to see a 3D version of American Sign Language, instead of just 2D on TV.”
What will DK Metcalf sign next?
Not even Metcalfe knows. He said he doesn’t go into every game with a pre-determined celebration. “It usually happens right away,” Metcalfe said. Utley added: “DK is DK. He takes what he knows…and of course he puts DK on that.”
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has been making waves with his recent use of sign language during his games. This unique approach not only brings attention to the deaf community, but also raises awareness for American Sign Language (ASL) in a way that is reminiscent of pop star Taylor Swift’s efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity. Metcalf’s sign language gestures on the field have sparked a new conversation about the importance of communication and equality, and are serving as a powerful reminder of the significance of ASL in the modern world.