If you are a fan of the NFL, you might have wondered if Eric Metcalf and DK Metcalf are related. They both share the same last name and play in the same league, but are they actually family? The answer is not so simple, as there are some conflicting reports and unclear connections between the two players. In this article, we will try to unravel the mystery and find out the truth behind the NFL family tree of Eric and DK Metcalf.
Contents
Who is Eric Metcalf?
Eric Metcalf is a former NFL player who played as a running back, wide receiver, and return specialist from 1989 to 2002. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft, after playing college football at the University of Texas. He spent six seasons with the Browns, where he was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins.
Eric Metcalf was known for his versatility, speed, and elusiveness on the field. He holds the NFL record for most career punt return touchdowns (10) and is one of only two players in NFL history to score a touchdown on a kick return, a punt return, a run, and a reception in the same season (1993). He finished his career with 17,230 all-purpose yards and 55 total touchdowns.
Who is DK Metcalf?
DK Metcalf is a current NFL player who plays as a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Ole Miss. He has played three seasons with the Seahawks so far, where he has emerged as one of the best receivers in the league. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls and has broken several franchise records.
DK Metcalf is known for his size, strength, speed, and athleticism on the field. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 229 pounds, with a muscular physique that resembles a bodybuilder. He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine, which was one of the fastest times ever recorded by a receiver of his size. He has also displayed impressive feats of endurance and determination, such as chasing down an opponent who intercepted a pass and preventing a touchdown in a 2020 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He has accumulated 3,170 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his career so far.
Are Eric Metcalf and DK Metcalf Related?
The short answer is yes, but not directly. Eric Metcalf and DK Metcalf are cousins once removed, meaning that they share a common ancestor but are not from the same generation. The common ancestor in this case is Terry Metcalf, who is also a former NFL player who played as a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973 to 1977.
Terry Metcalf is Eric’s father and DK’s great-uncle. Terry had four sons: Eric, Terrance (not to be confused with Terrence), Todd, and Troy. Terrance is DK’s grandfather, who had two sons: Terrence (not to be confused with Terrance) and Tony. Terrence is DK’s father, who played as an offensive lineman for Ole Miss and for the Chicago Bears from 2002 to 2008.
The confusion about Eric and DK’s relationship stems from the fact that they have different spellings of their names (Eric vs. D.K.), different positions (running back vs. wide receiver), different teams (Browns vs. Seahawks), different eras (1980s-2000s vs. 2010s-2020s), and different sources of information.
Eric initially denied that he was related to DK in an interview with ESPN Cleveland in 2019, stating that he was not his uncle or his brother’s son. However, he later clarified that he was joking and that he was open to the possibility of being cousins with DK. He also said that he had never met Terrence (DK’s father) or spoken to him.
DK confirmed that he was related to Eric in another interview at the 2019 NFL Combine, stating that he was his cousin through Terry (Eric’s father). He also said that he had spoken to Terry on the phone before.
Terry also confirmed that he was related to both Eric and DK in an interview with cleveland.com in 2019, stating that he had talked to Terrence (DK’s father) about their family history. He said that they were both going to do some research and figure out their exact connection. He also expressed his admiration and support for both Eric and DK as NFL players.
Conclusion
Eric Metcalf and DK Metcalf are cousins once removed, who share a common ancestor in Terry Metcalf, a former NFL player. They are both talented and successful NFL players in their own right, who have made their mark on the league with their skills and achievements. They are also both proud of their family heritage and have shown respect and appreciation for each other.
