Steelers Now
Ryan Kennedy, the Detroit Lions fan involved in the altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during Sunday’s game, has issued a statement through an attorney “categorically denying using the “N-word,” the “C-word,” or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident.”
“These allegations are completely false,” the statement released by Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of Head Murphy Law Firm reads in part.
Ryan Kennedy, the fan involved in the DK Metcalf altercation Sunday, has issued a statement through an attorney “categorically denying using the “N-word,” the “C-word,” or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident.
“These allegations are completely false.” pic.twitter.com/pQUbBYa0ww
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 22, 2025
While the Steelers were on defense in the second quarter, Metcalf got into it with the fan, who was sitting in the front row. Metcalf grabbed the fan by his shirt and swiped at him. He didn’t hit him directly, but there was some contact.
“I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it and I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk to DK and so I have no comment,” Tomlin said.
Was he aware of the incident at halftime or consider sitting Metcalf: “I don’t know when I was made aware of it,” Tomlin replied.
Metcalf left the locker room before media availability after the game.
CBS rule analyst Gene Steratore said the officials couldn’t weigh on it from an officiating standpoint. The NFL will review this altercation for potential discipline, however.
The fan was not thrown out of the game, per the Lions, via the Detroit Press. Lions officials talked to him about the incident.
“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,” Kennedy said.
CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said Kennedy was holding a a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey.
“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 during 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.”
As it turns out, it wasn’t the Steelers’ receiver’s first time hearing from that particular fan.
“Steelers WR DK Metcalf had a history with the Lions fan he confronted Sunday — Metcalf reported the same fan to Seahawks security last season while playing for Seattle, sources say,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote Monday on X. “The NFL is reviewing the incident for potential discipline.”
The fan said afterward that Metcalf was upset he called him by his full name. Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson pushed back against that story.
“I got word — obviously, I’m not condoning putting your hands on a fan or punching a fan — but he did call him a racial slur,” Johnson said Sunday night on “Nightcap.” “He called him the n-word and he did call his mom...
