*Jeffrey Metcalf, the father of slain Texas teen Austin Metcalf, is facing backlash after referring to convicted killer Karmelo Anthony as a “watermelon felon” during a lengthy video in which he also lashed out at Anthony’s family, supporters and critics.
The remarks came after Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a 2025 high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Because “watermelon” has long been used as an anti-Black racial stereotype, critics quickly condemned the comments as racist, reigniting tensions surrounding a case that has been deeply polarized along racial lines.
In the video, Metcalf began by recounting the devastating moment he learned Austin had been stabbed. He said he rushed to the stadium after receiving a call and knew when he saw his son that “he was gone.”
The Video Takes A Sharp Turn
Much of the video focused on Austin’s life, faith, grief and legacy. Metcalf spoke about his son’s leadership, athletic talent, scholarship fund and the pain of burying a child.
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But later in the video, his tone shifted from mourning to anger as he addressed people he said had mocked, attacked or politicized his son’s death.
“The muzzle’s off,” Metcalf said, referring to a gag order that he said had kept him from responding publicly.
Metcalf accused Anthony’s parents of abandoning their son and called them “grifters.” He also attacked members of Anthony’s support system, including a “convicted felon” advocate, and said Anthony’s family tried to “play victim.”
“The real victim is the one who died, not the one who shoved a knife in his chest,” Metcalf said.
He then accused Anthony’s side of widening what he called an “unbelievable racial divide.”
“I come to pray with you and show the world we can close the gap of this unbelievable racial divide,” he said. “And what you do, you widen the gap even further.”
‘Watermelon Felon’ Remark Draws Backlash
The most explosive portion of the video came when Metcalf turned directly to race.
“From day one, I said this was never about race,” he said. “Please don’t make it about race and don’t politicize it. And what did you do? You chose both.”
He then said, “The race card, Black fatigue. It’s real. I’m sorry.”
Metcalf continued, “You have embarrassed your own culture and race,” before adding, “Don’t blame the white person ’cause we can’t change it. But you’re going to blame the white person for every [expletive] thing else.”
At another point, he said, “We’re the bad ones. We’re the one that held you down. Guess what? You can do everything in America that I can do.”
The clip that drew the strongest reaction came later, when Metcalf said he would “make something racist up” and then referred to Anthony as “watermelon felon.”
“How about watermelon felon? How’s that one strike you?” he said.
The phrase immediately sparked condemnation because “watermelon” has long been used as an anti-Black racist stereotype in the United States. Critics online described the comments as racist and said the video undermined Metcalf’s repeated claim that the case “was never about race.”
A Case Already Consumed By Race
Anthony’s conviction followed a trial that was already under a national microscope. He admitted stabbing Austin but claimed self-defense. Prosecutors argued the stabbing was murder, and the jury agreed.
The racial dynamics of the case were central to the public debate even before Metcalf’s video. Anthony’s supporters argued that the Black teenager was treated unfairly and that his self-defense claim was dismissed in a racially biased atmosphere. Metcalf’s supporters argued the case was about accountability for Austin’s death, not race.
Metcalf’s video has now pushed the case even deeper into that debate.
Grief, Anger And Consequences
Metcalf repeatedly said in the video that he forgave Anthony because holding on to hatred would destroy him.
“I forgave him so I don’t carry the hate and the anger,” he said.
But he also admitted that without forgiveness, “I would have wound up killing him and going to prison myself.”
That tension — between grief, faith, anger and racial resentment — is what has made the video so volatile.
The video leaves little doubt that Metcalf is still grieving deeply. It also leaves little doubt that his words have added another painful chapter to a case already defined by tragedy, rage and race.
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