Steelers receiver DK Metcalf involved in altercation with fan in Detroit
Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca break down DK Metcalf’s incident with a Lions fan during Pittsburgh’s game against Detroit.
A Detroit Lions fan is publicly asking Steelers receiver DK Metcalf to retract accusations of racial and misogynistic slurs.The fan, Ryan Kennedy, claims the altercation began after he used Metcalf’s full name, while Metcalf alleges he heard slurs.Metcalf received a two-game suspension for shoving Kennedy during the game, which was caught on camera.Kennedy’s attorney states his client did not violate the stadium’s code of conduct and is considering legal action.
Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy wants Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf to come forward and say the accusations that he made racial and misogynistic slurs to the NFL player during a Week 16 altercation between the two are false.
“DeKaylin, if you’re watching this, man … if you could just say that, please, like, my family’s getting threats and stuff, and it’s not cool,” Kennedy said during a news conference with his attorneys Friday, Dec. 26.
“I’m sure you didn’t want that to happen to the family. Even if you did, like, I forgive you, man. That’s all I got. Go, Lions.”
Attorney Shawn Head said Kennedy and his family have been threatened and harassed, and his business damaged, receiving negative online reviews. Head said he has reached out to Metcalf’s reps who have yet to respond.
“Metcalf does have the ability to explain what was not said,” Head said.
An agent for Metcalf did not immediately return a request for comment.
Two accounts have emerged to explain why the two-time Pro Bowler took a swing at Kennedy during the second quarter of the game played between Detroit and Pittsburgh at Ford Field on Dec. 21, with Pittsburgh eventually winning, 29-24, after a controversial ending.
Kennedy, of Pinckney, who referred to himself to the Free Press on Sunday as the “biggest Detroit Lions fan ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” maintains that the Pittsburgh wide receiver took issue with Kennedy using Metcalf’s full government name.
Metcalf, however, reportedly told former NFL receiver Chad Johnson that he heard a racial slur and an offensive word about his mother before the incident, which Kennedy denies. In his 15 years as a season ticket holder, Kennedy said: “I’ve never done that. At all.”
CBS cameras caught the altercation: Kennedy is shown in a blue wig leaning over behind the Steelers’ bench and holding Pittsburgh attire, reportedly a No. 4 jersey. Head said his client asked Metcalf to sign that jersey.
In the video, Metcalf then grabs Kennedy by his shirt and shoves him upward, back into the seats.
Metcalf appealed the two-game suspension handed down to him by the NFL, but it was upheld. The wide receiver will lose $555,556 in total salary for the two games, with the potential for $45 million in guaranteed money from the Steelers to be voided.
Kennedy was never kicked out of the Week 16 game.
“He complied with the Ford Field guest code of conduct. He did not use any profanity. Again, he did not use any racial slurs, and he followed the rules,” Head said.
“And this isn’t just me saying it. Ford Field security investigated the incident and allowed Mr. Kennedy to return to the seats after it was determined that no code of conduct violation occurred.”
Head said his firm is prepared to engage in legal remedies to protect Kennedy and his family. The goal of Friday’s news conference was accountability, to “correct the record,” and to push Metcalf to “tell the truth,” Head said.
“Being falsely branded as a racist is one of the most damaging accusations that a private citizen can endure. It’s dangerous, and it causes very real consequences and very real damage.”
Kennedy, donning a Lions hat worn backward, said at Friday’s news conference that it’s “really hard” for him to get upset.
“But there’s two things — animal abuse, racism. Like I get hot, right away. Like I could feel it in my face. It gets all warm,” Kennedy said.
“I guess I want to be crystal clear about one thing: I didn’t use any racial slurs, no hate speech, none of that stuff during the game. Actually, never.”
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Kennedy and Metcalf have history. Metcalf reported Kennedy to security last season while he played for the Seattle Seahawks during the Lions’ 42-29 win over Seattle at Ford Field on Sept. 30, 2024, Pelissero reported.
Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at asahouri@freepress.com.Â