Lions Fan Calls on DK Metcalf to Retract Slur Allegations After Heated Sideline Altercation
The fallout from a sideline incident during Week 16 between Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf and a Detroit Lions fan is far from over. Now, that fan - Ryan Kennedy - is publicly urging Metcalf to retract serious accusations of racial and misogynistic slurs, which Kennedy adamantly denies.
The altercation, which took place during the second quarter of the Lions-Steelers game at Ford Field, was caught on CBS cameras. The footage shows Metcalf reaching into the stands and shoving Kennedy, who was wearing a blue wig and holding what appeared to be a Pittsburgh jersey.
That shove led to a two-game suspension for Metcalf - one that he appealed, but the NFL upheld. The suspension will cost the Steelers star over half a million dollars in salary.
Kennedy, a longtime Lions season ticket holder from Pinckney, Michigan, says the whole confrontation stemmed from him calling out Metcalf by his full name - DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf - in an attempt to get his attention. According to Kennedy, that’s what set Metcalf off. But Metcalf reportedly told former NFL receiver Chad Johnson that he heard a racial slur and a derogatory remark about his mother before reacting.
Kennedy flat-out denies those claims.
"I want to be crystal clear about one thing," Kennedy said during a press conference held with his attorneys. "I didn’t use any racial slurs, no hate speech, none of that stuff during the game. Actually, never."
Wearing a Lions hat turned backward and visibly emotional, Kennedy made a direct plea to Metcalf.
"DeKaylin, if you're watching this, man … if you could just say that, please," Kennedy said. "My family's getting threats and stuff, and it's not cool.
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."
Kennedy’s attorney, Shawn Head, said the incident has had real-world consequences for his client. He claims Kennedy and his family have received threats, and that Kennedy’s business has suffered from a wave of negative online reviews. According to Head, they’ve reached out to Metcalf’s representatives but haven’t received a response.
"Metcalf does have the ability to explain what was not said," Head noted.
Ford Field security reportedly investigated the incident and allowed Kennedy to return to his seat, determining that he had not violated the stadium's code of conduct. Head emphasized that Kennedy didn’t use profanity or slurs and complied fully with the venue’s rules.
"He complied with the Ford Field guest code of conduct," Head said. "He did not use any profanity. Again, he did not use any racial slurs, and he followed the rules."
The legal team says they’re considering pursuing legal remedies to protect Kennedy and his family, but the immediate goal of the press conference was to “correct the record” and push for accountability from Metcalf.
"Being falsely branded as a racist is one of the most damaging accusations that a private citizen can endure," Head said. "It's dangerous, and it causes very real consequences and very real damage."
There’s also some history between the two. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Metcalf flagged Kennedy to stadium security during last year’s matchup between the Lions and Seahawks - a high-scoring 49-42 win for Detroit on September 30, 2024. At that time, Metcalf was still with Seattle.
Kennedy, who refers to himself as the “biggest Detroit Lions fan ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” says he’s never crossed the line in his 15 years as a season ticket holder.
“It’s really hard for me to get upset,” Kennedy said. “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.”
The NFL has already handed down its punishment, but this story is clearly still unfolding off the field. What began as an in-game confrontation has now sparked a broader conversation - one involving public perception, legal threats, and a call for clarity from both sides.