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Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver DK Metcalf took a swing at a Detroit Lions fan at the game at Ford Field on Sunday, Dec. 21.
In the second quarter, CBS cameras caught Metcalf getting into an altercation with a Lions fan holding some Steelers attire while hanging over the ledge.
It’s not clear what led up to the incident, but Metcalf eventually threw a punch in the direction of the Lions fan. It wasn’t a direct hit, but there was some contact.
The Free Press tracked down the fan in the stands, who said he was “a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
“My words don’t matter because it was on camera,” they added.
When initially asked what his name was, the fan said, “My name is ‘Biggest Detroit Lions Fan Ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.'”
After getting further pressed, the fan said his name was Ryan Kennedy and that he’s from Pinckney, Michigan.
“What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” Kennedy said. “He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
The fan was not thrown out of the game, per the Lions. Lions officials talked to him about the incident.
The NFL said in a statement it cannot intervene for an ejection of Metcalf.
“There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the NFL said in the statement.
CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson was watching the area when the incident happened.
“He came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey, he went over and the fan said something to him,” Wolfson said on the broadcast. “Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything, we’ll see if the league takes action, guys.”
After the Lions scored a touchdown in the second quarter, CBS rules official Gene Steratore said referees can’t do anything to remove Metcalf from the game or penalize him.
It’ll be “delivered to compliance,” which could potentially suspend or fine him in the future.
Free Press Lions reporter Dave Birkett contributed to this reporting.
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.