DK Metcalf’s football career nearly ended before it had a chance to take off.
On October 13, 2018, while returning a kickoff for Ole Miss against Alabama, Metcalf was tackled and left the game with an injury. Scans later revealed a broken vertebra in his neck.
The 21-year-old was sidelined for the rest of the season, and doctors told him he might never play football again.
Remarkably, Metcalf made a full recovery and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the final pick of the second round.
Since then, he’s transformed into one of the league’s top wide receivers, with his physical style and knack for making tough catches posing a unique challenge for defenders.
When asked to describe his playing style, Metcalf told CNN Sport’s Coy Wire, “Eclectic. I like that word.”
His journey—from the brink of never playing football again to becoming an NFL star—has profoundly shaped the 26-year-old’s perspective on both the sport and life.
“Just knowing that this game could be taken away from you, but you don’t get to decide when it’s over,” Metcalf shared. “So I wake up every day like it’s my last, taking every rep seriously—whether in practice or the weight room—as another opportunity to improve.”
“That’s how I look at life, football, everything. It could all be taken away, so I just smile and live it up.”
Making plays
Hailing from Oxford, Mississippi, football has been a part of DK Metcalf’s life from a young age.
His father, Terrence, was an offensive lineman in the NFL, playing for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and New Orleans Saints. His grandfather, Terry, and uncle, Eric, also had careers in the league.
Growing up, Metcalf’s goal was always to “be like” his dad, who he credits with playing a “major part” in his success. However, as the oldest of eight siblings, Metcalf draws inspiration from his entire family, which keeps him grounded.
“They make it easy to wake up and fight for them every day, or fight for a better life for them,” Metcalf explained. “Since I don’t have any kids, they’re like my kids. My siblings mean everything to me. My parents have helped me through so much in my upbringing.”
Like his father, Metcalf chose to play for Ole Miss in college. Unfortunately, a season-ending neck injury cut short his third year with the team.
In a surprising move, Metcalf decided to forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. By the time the draft arrived in April, he had fully recovered and was in peak physical condition.
His physical abilities made him one of the standout performers at the NFL Combine, where his explosive drills captured the attention of scouts. A viral photo of Metcalf and his former Ole Miss teammate AJ Brown, both shirtless and showcasing their imposing physiques, further fueled his hype.
Despite his impressive performance, Metcalf was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft, with the Seattle Seahawks picking him 64th overall—the ninth receiver taken in the draft.
Metcalf joined a veteran-heavy Seattle team, but despite being a rookie, he made an immediate impact on the field.
In the Seahawks’ Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Metcalf finished with 89 yards on four receptions, setting a record for the most yards by a Seahawks rookie wide receiver in their debut. His performance helped Seattle reach the playoffs, where in their wild card game against the Eagles, Metcalf exploded for 160 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. The 160 yards was not only the most ever by a rookie in an NFL playoff game, but also the most in franchise history.
In his second season, Metcalf’s performance soared even higher as he set a franchise record with 1,303 receiving yards. His efforts earned him a spot as a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection.
One of Metcalf’s most memorable plays that season, however, came when he didn’t even have the ball in his hands. In a Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was intercepted at Arizona’s three-yard line by Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who appeared to be on his way to a sure touchdown. But Metcalf, who had been trailing behind, showcased his incredible athleticism by sprinting down the field and closing the gap, eventually making a tackle just short of the end zone.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury called Metcalf an “absolutely freak athlete,” while Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll described it as “one of the best football plays I’ve ever seen.” Baker, who ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, admitted, “That’s the first time I’ve ever been hawked in my entire life.”
The play quickly went viral, not just for Metcalf’s athleticism, but also for his determination to make up for his teammate’s mistake.
Metcalf sees himself as an all-around weapon. “Bad man. Big, fast, physical,” he said. “I can run, I can make the catch, I can block. I can do a variety of things.”
“That’s what I like about my game—I can’t be pigeonholed into just being a possession receiver or a speed receiver. God blessed me to be able to do it all.”
‘A voice to inspire’
Since then, Metcalf has become one of the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL.
He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three of his six seasons so far, with 46 touchdowns to his name. By the time the 2024 season began, Metcalf held the record for the best receiving start in Seahawks franchise history, with 372 receptions and 5,332 yards over his first five seasons.
Metcalf has also developed a deep connection with Seattle, getting the city’s skyline tattooed on his back and calling it his “second home.”
But beyond his on-field success, Metcalf has become a powerful voice for others.
He went viral once again last season after scoring a 73-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, celebrating by using sign language to spell out “Standing on business.”
Metcalf explained that after taking an American Sign Language (ASL) course in college, it became a cause close to his heart, and he is proud to use his platform to represent it.
Metcalf shared the impact of his celebration with sign language, saying, “The response I received from the deaf community was unbelievable. The attention I was able to bring to their cause was amazing. I got a lot of positive feedback, not only from my teacher but from the entire deaf community across the U.S.”
This year, during the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, Metcalf will support two causes that are important to him: the Sound Organization and Prison Fellowship, which focuses on justice reform.
He’s also teamed up with a coffee company to create his own brand, “Decaf Metcalf,” a playful nod to a commentator who once called him that. Half of the proceeds from the coffee sales will go to Prison Fellowship.
For Metcalf, using his platform to make a difference is simply who he is.
“I come from a small town in Mississippi, a small college town. For me to make it to the NFL was a huge opportunity,” he said. “So, any way I can represent others or be a voice to inspire people to keep chasing their dreams, no matter the obstacles, I want to do that.”
He added, reflecting on his journey, “There was a time in college when I didn’t know if I’d ever play football again after breaking my neck. So, just having the opportunity to play this game is a huge blessing.”