Austin Metcalf’s father accuses media pundits of trying to monetize his son’s death ‘for clicks’

Jeff Metcalf, the father of slain 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, accused some pundits of attempting to “monetize” his son’s death and revealed whether convicted killer Karmelo Anthony’s family has ever apologized.

“They’re looking for their 15 minutes of fame, or their clickbait or their clicks. They’re just looking to monetize the death of my son,” Metcalf told “The Will Cain Show” on Monday.

His comments come as newly released evidence paints a clearer picture of the moments leading up to and following the fatal 2025 stabbing incident.

In police body camera footage from the day of the stabbing, when an officer refers to Anthony as the “alleged suspect” while placing him in handcuffs, Anthony replies, “I’m not alleged. I did it.”

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Metcalf responded to comments made by “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin earlier Monday, when she said she could not understand why Anthony’s case was not determined to be self-defense.

“I really wish they wouldn’t speak about it at all because one, if that woman said that, she has no idea about the facts of the case, but she wants to spew her public opinion on a platform that reaches millions of people every day,” he said.

“She is completely wrong,” he added, offering to join “The View” to discuss his son’s murder.

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The murder trial of Austin Metcalf evolved into a national discussion of race, with many media personalities backing the defense’s assertion that Anthony acted in self-defense when he stabbed 17-year-old Metcalf at a track meet in April 2025.

Anthony was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Jeff Metcalf criticized those who politicized his son’s murder or framed it through a racial lens, saying he never wanted that to happen.

“The two things I said on one of the first interviews I ever did was, ‘Please don’t make this about race, please don’t politicize it,’” he said. “But they chose to do both.”

The elder Metcalf expressed disappointment that the case became so focused on race, telling host Will Cain that skin color is an irrelevant factor in his son’s murder.

“We don’t see color. So, all I see is character in people. I don’t care what color you are,” the father said. “I want to judge you on how you treat people.”

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Metcalf slightly empathized with his son’s killer while discussing how Anthony’s parents left him alone in the courtroom during a sensitive time during the trial.

“As soon as the verdict was read, he was guilty, his family and some other advocates left the courtroom and turned in their badges,” he told Fox News.

“They weren’t there for the sentencing, and they were not there for victim impact statements. They left that poor child up there by himself.”

Metcalf also revealed whether Anthony’s family has ever reached out to apologize.

“Have you ever spoken to the Anthony’s?” Cain asked.

“No,” Metcalf responded.

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“No apology, no remorse?” Cain replied.

“Nothing,” Metcalf said.

The father also reflected on his son Austin’s memory, remembering him as a “God-fearing” leader more than one year after his death.

“He had compassion. He showed love,” he explained. “He always helped. Always was helping his teammates, always helping the younger kids from middle school who were transitioning to high school football. He would go and talk to them and tell them what to expect. He would coach them in the weight room.”

“I mean, this is a trauma that you carry the rest of your life.”