Seattle Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf Explains Reason For Sign-Language Celebration

Seattle Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf credits teammate Boye Mafe for his "standing on business" sign language celebration, among other inspirations.

Over the past few weeks, Seattle Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf has developed arguably the league's most-unique touchdown celebration.

Instead of trash talking his opponents verbally, Metcalf has instead opted to do so through the use of American Sign Language. He debuted this kind of celebration against the Los Angeles Rams, signing "44, my son" in reference to cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon after beating him for a touchdown. Then in Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, Metcalf perfectly signed "standing on business" after scoring one of his three touchdowns on the night.

Initially, Metcalf picked up the celebration as a way to avoid fines while trash talking, as he revealed last week on The Rich Eisen Show. However, there's also another, more personal inspiration. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Metcalf revealed that the idea for his "standing on business" celebration came from teammate Boye Mafe, who also knows ASL.

DK Metcalf says he’s began taking American Sign Language classes online with a deaf teacher in Tennessee and his wife to expand his mind, but now sees how valuable awareness is to the ASL community.

“Standing on business,” #Seahawks teammate Boye Mafe showed him that last week pic.twitter.com/qMXYhOdJeI

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 6, 2023

DK Metcalf / © Tim Heitman, USA TODAY

Even still, there's yet another inspiration, and easily the most heart-warming of all. Metcalf shared that he took an ASL course in college, but as time went on, he began to see how important awareness is for those who use it. Now, the star receiver is taking ASL classes on his days off with a deaf teacher from Tennessee, and it's had a profound impact on him.

"My teacher—we talk over Zoom once a week, every Tuesday. His name's Darrell Utley from Tennessee," Metcalf told reporters. "It's been fun, every time we interact and I know something he signs to me... I get to challenge myself to learn something new and also to bring light to a community who I didn't know felt unseen."

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Additionally, Metcalf said that he plans to meet Utley and his wife, who is also deaf, when the Seahawks play the Tennessee Titans on New Year's Eve in Nashville and invite them to the game.

What was initially just a way for Metcalf to rile up his opponents has suddenly and unexpectedly become a heart-warming story for everyone involved.