Austin Metcalf’s Father Faces Backlash After Calling Karmelo Anthony a “Watermelon Felon”

Jeff Metcalf, the father of slain Texas teenager Austin Metcalf, is facing intense backlash after making racist and inflammatory remarks about Karmelo Anthony during a recent podcast interview. Anthony, 19, was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a Frisco, Texas, track meet in 2025. The controversy grew after a judge lifted a gag order that had previously barred both families from speaking publicly about the case.

During an appearance on the JinxedSip Podcast hosted by Sarah Fields, Metcalf referred to Anthony as a “watermelon felon,” a phrase widely condemned for invoking a racist stereotype historically aimed at Black people. He used the phrase while dismissing criticism that race has influenced public debate over the trial and sentencing. The comment spread quickly online and sparked outrage, especially because the case had already become a national flashpoint over race, fairness, and the criminal justice system.

The debate intensified after reports noted that Anthony, who is Black, was convicted by a jury that reportedly included no Black members, even though Black residents make up about 12 percent of the county’s population. That detail fueled concerns among critics who questioned whether the 35-year sentence was too severe. Public figures, including rapper Cardi B and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, also raised concerns about the outcome and whether Anthony received a fair trial.

Metcalf also used the interview to attack Anthony’s parents, Andrew Anthony and Kala Hayes, accusing them of exploiting the case for money and failing to support their son when it mattered most. He said they had profited from fundraising tied to the case and later withdrew from public view after a crowdfunding effort connected to Anthony was shut down following the verdict. Metcalf called the parents “grifters” and directed additional insults at them, while insisting he is not racist and describing himself as “racist against a–holes.”

In a separate interview with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, Metcalf took a more reflective tone. He said the killing might have been avoided because both teenagers could have walked away from the confrontation. He emphasized the importance of teaching conflict resolution and de-escalation in schools, saying the tragedy showed how quickly poor decisions can lead to irreversible harm. Metcalf also rejected the idea that race played a role in the killing or the conviction, calling it a matter of right and wrong rather than racial bias.

Metcalf said his Christian faith has helped him cope with the loss of his son and frame forgiveness as something that benefits him personally by preventing him from carrying hatred, rage, or revenge. Still, his podcast remarks deepened the controversy surrounding a case that has already drawn widespread attention, public outrage, and continuing legal and social debate.

Anthony has begun the appeals process and requested a court-appointed attorney, saying he cannot afford private counsel. His family continues to argue that he did not receive a fair trial and plans to keep challenging the conviction.