Trash talking continues to be an integral component of professional sports. In this year’s NFL (National Football League) season, banter has seen its greatest place among the game. Whether celebrating touchdowns or alerting the defense about their first down grab, trash talk has, essentially, become a necessity.
The Seattle Seahawks are no stranger to these fiascos. Star wide receiver DK Metcalf, though, has spearheaded the new wave of heckling: sign language. On November 19, Week 11 of this year’s season, Metcalf celebrated a touchdown without employing his signature dance moves or throwing the ball into the ground. Instead, he touched his hand to his chest, patted his forehead with the palm of his hands, and motioned his hand back on the chest.
At first, fans and the media questioned Metcalf’s gestures. For someone accustomed to verbal trash talking, suddenly using hands instead of words seemed alarming, but refreshing. From Metcalf’s point of view, he could voice his opinions and relay his message without anyone having to get involved. His actions go deeper than a celebration, though.
When he was a student at Ole Miss, Metcalf enrolled in an American Sign Language (ASL) course. He recently informed the press that he has been taking ZOOM classes on ASL during the week. Metcalf, aware of the common belief that he only signed up so he could trash talk in a more “ethical” manner, was simply driven by the curiosity factor behind the language. He told USA Today, “New people are starting to learn ASL and take heed to…’What is he signing?’ The curiosity factor comes in to where it is bringing attention…It started out as me trying to learn something new.”
Metcalf hopes to take his newfound passion further in becoming fluent. To cultivate his interest, he met with Darrell Utley, an instructor at the Sign Language Center. Utley has stated how inspired he is by Metcalf, and the attention he is bringing to such a crucial skill. The esteemed instructor views Metcalf’s trash talking method in a positive light rather than a detrimental one. It spotlights the language and drives watchers to, like Metcalf hinted, question the language and become engrossed in its methods.
For the ASL community, Metcalf’s actions have been invaluable. A simple movement of the hands has brought endless eyes to what ASL is: a transformative tool for individuals to communicate and embrace others’ stories. Those who are hearing impaired have suddenly found themselves drawn to the TVs on Sundays, waiting for Metcalf to score and witness what he will gesture next. According to Utley and USA Today, individuals who are hearing impaired have struggled with accessibility. But this occurrence in the NFL has revitalized a voice for ASL groups, providing the country with an outlet to understand such a significant device for over half a million people.
With the Seahawks heading to the offseason, Metcalf will have ample time to perfect his skills and create an even stronger bond with Utley. At The Prep, we should also start emphasizing the importance of sign language, perhaps through a student organization or new elective. There is a beauty to ASL that is rarely found elsewhere: it will withstand the test of time.