DK Metcalf learned ASL from Deaf teacher Darrell Utley
Here is more information behind Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf and his ability to sign in ASL.
He went viral in November after it was revealed that he learned certain phrases to trash talk his opponents and avoid getting penalized.
But Metcalf has expressed a deeper purpose for learning sign language and revealed that his teacher is a Deaf man named Darrell Utley.
Video clip showing DK Metcalf’s comments during a press conference. Credit: YouTube/Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf: I always try to exercise my mind or try to learn something new. In the past, I was taking acting classes. Now I figured, let’s take it a step further, so I’ve tried to learn ASL. My teacher, we talk over Zoom once a week, every Tuesday. His name’s Darrell Utley, from Tennessee. Met him, his wife, he’s told me he has two daughters. It’s just been very fun just to see him smiling. Every time we interact or anytime I know something that he signs to me, i can see just his smile light up. I think it’s just great that i get to learn something new. I get to challenge myself to learn something new, and also just to bring light to a community who I didn’t know felt unseen or felt they were being forgot about. Just shedding light on the ASL community, the deaf community to where more people are starting to learn ASL and starting to take heed to, all right, what is he gonna sign next, or what is he signing. The curiosity factor comes in to where it’s bringing attention to the language of ASL which many people did not know about. I think it started out as me trying to learn something new, and then the reffing thing kind of got thrown in the mix to where it kind of turned into trash talk. But no, I’m trying to learn a new language, simply put.
[Reporter #10] Is the goal, sorry, is the goal with the sign language to become fluent?
Metcalf: Yes, yes.
Alex: They have been doing online classes through Zoom. Utley recently did an interview with NPR.
Video clip showing Utley being interviewed by NPR. Credit: NPR
NPR reporter Adam Bearne, via interpreter: What is it like for you as a Deaf person to see him learn and also getting attention for ASL on a national stage? What does it mean for you?
Darrell Utley: I’ve not had an in-depth discussion about his use of ASL out there. I really didn’t expect that. I taught him because he wanted to learn ASL. Then I saw him using it on the field. I don’t think he realizes the impact he’s creating for the Deaf community, specifically on ASL. Because the “elephant” in the room is that many Deaf kids are not exposed or get access to ASL. Many are language deprived. The majority, 90% or 95% of deaf children have hearing parents. So when hearing parents give birth to a deaf child, naturally doctors will focus on fixing them through cochlear implants. But they don’t have a foundation with language, which is ASL. It doesn’t matter if they get a cochlear implant or hearing aids or speak, they should have a foundation, which is ASL. To use ASL. It is sad that not many parents are exposed to using ASL as a language foundation, then they could align it with whatever tools they are using. Bilingualism is important. So I don’t know if DK realizes that he’s creating that impact. But I really appreciate the spotlight.
Alex: It’s nice to see that Metcalf is recognizing the Deaf community as he learns ASL and that he hopes to become fluent. It’s a relief that he is learning from Utley, who is obviously a part of the Deaf community and is aware of the issues that impact us and teaching him.
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Here’s a bit more information. Metcalf said there’s another player on the Seahawks team that knows ASL – linebacker Boye Mafe. He often honors his late mother by saying, “Mom, ILY” before games or after he makes a big defensive play.
[Video clip showing Mafe signing, “Mom, ILY” in a game against the NY Giants] Credit: NFL
The Seattle Times explained in a feature that Mafe took sign language in school with his siblings. After his mother passed away from cancer while he was in college, he decided to sign, “Mom ILY” during games to express how much he loves her.
[Video clip of Mafe standing on the sidelines with his helmet off. He signs, “Mom, ILY.” The next clip shows an image of Mafe with his mother, Bola] Credit: NFL
Metcalf said Mafe is the only other person on the team who knows sign language and that he is the one who came up with the idea to sign, “Standing on business.”
[Clip of Metcalf in the same press conference] Credit: YouTube/Seattle Seahawks
Reporter #5: Mentioning Boye too, I know he does the thing for his mother occasionally. Have you learned anything from him or he give you any pointers when it came to ASL?
Metcalf: Actually, standing on business, Boye did that when he was walking out of the meeting on Wednesday night. He did it one time and I was like, “One more time.” I said, “Again.” He said, (signing) “Standing on business.” I said, “Okay, I’m using that tomorrow when I score, so everyone can give credit to Boye for that one.
[Video clip of Metcalf signing, “Standing on business” after scoring a touchdown in a game against the Dallas Cowboys] Credit: NFL
Alex: Nice to see that ASL has made an impact in these professional athletes’ lives and here’s hoping that more athletes out there will learn ASL from Deaf teachers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XicWSpKV-uo
https://www.nfl.com/videos/boye-mafe-signs-i-love-you-to-late-mother-before-game-during-mnf