Austin Metcalf’s father says he’s not apologizing for comments he made about Karmelo Anthony, his family and supporters following the teen’s trial.
Anthony is serving a 35-year prison sentence for stabbing Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Texas in April of 2025.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Jeff Metcalf admitted it was “not my finest moment,” but stopped short of apologizing for the remarks.
“One, yes, I said it. Two, I own it. I’m not backing away from it,” said Metcalf.
Controversial Comments
The day after Anthony was sentenced, Metcalf posted a video on social media in which he went on a racist tirade about the Anthony family and the Black community.
“Let me make something racist up so y’all can go viral. I got a new name for Melo. How about ‘watermelon felon’,” he said.
At another point, Metcalf complained about “so many baby mamas running around with EBT cards.”
He also referenced slavery and argued that Black people should be grateful to be free, while mocking the Black Panthers.
Metcalf says the whole video was a “social experiment. “If you listen to the 10 seconds before the clip, and you get the context, because I’ll repeat it for everybody right now. I’m not racist. Let me make something up that is racist, and I bet you it will go viral on the internet.”
Along with addressing the video, Metcalf also blamed the “other side” for introducing race into the case, pointing to a press conference held by civil rights activist Dominique Alexander.
“That was the day when race was really entered into [the case]. Until that point, I never looked at it as a Black and white thing. It was a right and wrong thing,” Metcalf said. “Not oh, he’s black; he must be guilty. It never even crossed my mind. It doesn’t matter. I don’t see color.”
Metcalf was recently accused of sending an aggressive message to Alexander following Anthony’s recent hearing for a new trial.
“Say it to my face! You’re a coward. Called you out and you slither away. When the denied ruling is issued, you going to have another press conference? I promise to attend. See you around,” the message said.
No Real Justice
Although Anthony was convicted of murder, Metcalf said no punishment can bring his son back.
“I got handed a life sentence. So did Meghan, Hunter. So did everybody else in my family and her family. We don’t ever get to see Austin again. We don’t get to talk to him, hug him,” he said.
Metcalf said he forgave Anthony on the day Austin was killed, explaining that forgiveness was necessary for his own mental and spiritual well-being. But forgiveness, he said, does not mean he believes Anthony should avoid accountability.
“I don’t feel sorry for what he did, though. He needs to be held accountable,” Metcalf said.
Metcalf said that, from his perspective, the trial was ultimately less about whether Anthony was responsible for Austin’s death and more about how long Anthony would spend in prison.
Character Evidence
The comments come as Anthony continues to challenge his conviction. A judge recently denied his motion for a new trial following a two-day hearing.
During that hearing, attorneys discussed evidence that was not presented to the jury during Anthony’s original trial. Prosecutors said Anthony sent messages fantasizing about stabbing someone, while Austin had a juvenile record involving racist graffiti.
Metcalf argued that the jury should have heard character evidence.
“They had 20 pages on my boy, and 75 pages on Karmelo,” Metcalf said. “If they had come out in court, I think he would have got more [prison time].”
Anthony’s attorney, Russell Wilson, sent a statement to ABC News in response to Metcalf’s interview saying their “legal defense is not intended to diminish Austin Metcalf’s life or his family’s grief.”
“Legitimate questions about racial fairness, equal treatment, public access, judicial impartiality, and the constitutional process cannot be dismissed as merely bringing race into the case,” the statement added.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to Anthony’s legal team for additional comment but had not heard back at the time of publication.
