Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus became a surprising headline during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder, after receiving a formal warning for his conduct in the stands.
Metellus, who was sitting courtside to support his home team, was issued a laminated card from arena security citing “excessive verbal abuse.” The card referenced a violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct, warning that future infractions would result in immediate ejection without refund. It specifically pointed to inappropriate comments or behavior directed at players, coaches, officials, or other fans.
Though the exact remarks that led to the warning remain unknown, Metellus appeared to take the incident in stride. He shared a photo of the warning on his Instagram story with the caption “energy is a hell of a drug,” followed by several laughing emojis—suggesting he found the situation more humorous than serious.
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after a tense moment on the court between Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and Thunder guard Lu Dort, leading some to believe Metellus may have passionately voiced his opinions during the exchange.
Adding to the buzz, the warning card itself featured a couple of notable typos, including “spectators” misspelled as “spectors” and the use of “and” instead of “any,” which sparked some amusement on social media.
While the situation was relatively minor, it highlighted the fine line fans must walk between spirited support and inappropriate behavior. As a public figure, Metellus’s experience serves as a reminder that even high-profile individuals are expected to follow the same rules of conduct at public events.
Despite the warning, the Vikings safety remains an avid supporter of Minnesota sports, and no further action was taken. The Timberwolves continue their playoff run with the support of passionate fans like Metellus—hopefully with fewer distractions going forward.
