Lions fan files $100M lawsuit after DK Metcalf clash, denies racial slur claims

Ryan Kennedy, a Michigan nonmigratory and self-described Detroit Lions fan, is taking ineligible enactment pursuing a December altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf astatine Ford Field.

Kennedy and his ineligible squad held a quality league successful Farmington Hills, Michigan, connected Dec. 26. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Kennedy announced that a suit had been filed successful Wayne County Court. The suit seeks $100 cardinal successful damages stemming from the Dec. 21 incidental and names DK Metcalf, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ford Field, the Lions’ longtime location stadium.

Former NFL subordinate Chad Johnson, Ford Field absorption and aggregate media platforms were besides listed successful the lawsuit, alleging that they played a relation successful making "defamatory and life-altering statements" against Kennedy successful the aftermath of the incident.

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Detroit Lions instrumentality Ryan Kennedy, center, seated adjacent to lawyer Sean Murphy, left, and lawyer Shawn Head, right, portion discussing the fan-involved altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers subordinate DK Metcalf astatine the Head Murphy Law bureau successful Farmington Hills, Michigan connected Dec. 26, 2025. (Ryan Garza/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The filing outlines 9 counts, including negligence against Ford Field and aggregate defamation claims against Metcalf, Johnson and erstwhile NFL choky extremity Shannon Sharpe's Shay Shay Media.

During the archetypal fractional of the Lions–Steelers crippled connected Dec. 21, Metcalf appeared to instrumentality a plaything astatine Kennedy, who was seated successful the Ford Field stands. The NFL aboriginal disciplined Metcalf with a two-game suspension to adjacent the regular season.

STEELERS MAKE MAJOR CONTRACT DECISION ON DK METCALF AFTER SUSPENSION

On an occurrence of Shay Shay Media's "Nightcap" podcast released the time aft the incident, co-host Chad Johnson said Metcalf told him Kennedy directed a radical slur astatine the Steelers receiver and utilized a derogatory word toward Metcalf’s mother.

Kennedy denied utilizing immoderate slurs astatine a December property conference, a assertion reiterated successful the lawsuit.

A wide general aerial presumption of Ford Field connected Dec. 7, 2023 successful Detroit, Michigan.  (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

"The statements were mendacious and reckless," the suit states. "Plaintiff Kennedy did not telephone Defendant Metcalf the 'N-word'; did not telephone Defendant Metcalf’s parent a 'c---'; and did not ever usage immoderate radical slurs oregon hatred code whatsoever ... Defendant Metcalf provided mendacious accusation to Defendant Johnson astir what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the work of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy."

DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks connected anterior to an NFL Preseason 2025 crippled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers astatine Acrisure Stadium connected Aug. 16, 2025 successful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Kennedy is besides taking ineligible enactment against the Steelers for the team's alleged liability successful the incident, portion Metcalf is accused of committing battle and artillery successful the lawsuit. The claims against Ford Field absorption are besides based connected liability.

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"Defendant Ford Field Management, LLC breached its work by failing to found oregon enforce capable barriers, protocols, oregon information measures to forestall players from reaching into the stands and making carnal interaction with patrons," the suit reads.

Fox News Digital contacted the Lions requesting comment, but did not instantly person a response.

Metcalf recorded 850 receiving yards successful his archetypal play with the Steelers.

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