Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension was upheld by an appeals officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. Metcalf violated league policy after getting into an altercation with a fan at Ford Field during the team’s 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The NFL and the Lions are still investigating whether or not they will take any action against Lions fan Ryan Kennedy for inciting the incident between Metcalf, according to a report by NFL Network.
While the Steelers were on defense in the second quarter, Metcalf got into it with Kennedy, who was in the front row. Metcalf grabbed Kennedy by his shirt and swiped at him. He didn’t hit him directly, but there was some contact.
Las Vegas All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby knows how vile fans can get toward players. He doesn’t know what transpired between Metcalf and Kennedy, but he knows Metcalf is a stand up person through his interactions with him.
“I don’t even know the context or what happened, but that was one of the wildest things. You know the fans are going to be f*cking talking reckless and crazy. I know DK is a good dude,” Crosby said on his The Rush Podcast. “I’ve trained with him at XO’s. I’m not going to sit here and speculate. I’ve had fans in my ear. As a player. I’m going to turn around and say ‘F*ck you, mother f*cker,’ and get right back to work.”
Maxx Crosby on the DK Metcalf Incident! 😳 pic.twitter.com/0cOKarqHss
— The Rush Podcast (@TheRushWithMaxx) December 23, 2025
Metcalf and Kennedy reportedly had history before Sunday’s altercation, and reported Kennedy to Ford Field security during a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Lions in 2024. It’s not clear what Metcalf alleged Kennedy of doing at that time, but the Lions did not take any action against him then or prevent him from being at Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
Metcalf has not spoken publicly since the incident, but several reports from individuals that say they have spoken to Metcalf allege that Kennedy used a racial slur, which would violate the NFL’s fan conduct policy.
Kennedy, in a statement through an attorney, vehemently denied having done so, and the NFL’s lack of action suggests that the league was unable to corroborate Metcalf’s claim:
“Ryan Kennedy categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word,’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident that occurred on Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions game. These allegations are completely false.”
Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press on Sunday that Metcalf was upset because Kennedy called him by his full name.
Metcalf told Steelers Now earlier this season that he prefers his full name.
“People always used to call me, ‘Oh, you’re Terrence’s son. Or Big Cat’s son, or Metcalf’
Alan Saunders contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: [Maxx Crosby Backs DK Metcalf after Skirmish with Fan: ‘I Know DK...
