Lions fan involved in altercation with Steelers star denies using derogatory language toward player

The Detroit Lions instrumentality who got into an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during a crippled connected Sunday evening denied utilizing derogatory connection toward the player.

Ryan Kennedy released a connection done Head Murphy Law successful Michigan connected Monday, denying accusations that helium utilized the "N-word," "C-word" oregon "any racial, misogynistic, oregon hate-based slur toward Metcalf." Kennedy’s reps called the allegations "completely false."

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DK Metcalf #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks connected during the crippled against the Detroit Lions astatine Ford Field connected Dec. 21, 2025 successful Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

"At nary constituent before, during oregon aft the incidental did Mr. Kennedy usage radical slurs oregon hatred code of immoderate kind," the connection read. "The claims suggesting different are untrue and are not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts, oregon immoderate contemporaneous reporting. Despite reports successful the media past nighttime and today, Mr. Kennedy has not utilized specified connection during an enactment with Mr. Metcalf oregon immoderate different players successful the past.

"Since these mendacious statements began circulating publicity, Mr. Kennedy has been subjected to harassment, threats, and messages advocating violence, creating superior interest for his and his family’s idiosyncratic information and well-being. No backstage idiosyncratic should beryllium falsely branded with specified accusations oregon exposed to threats based connected misinformation."

The connection said Kennedy volition person nary further remark arsenic ineligible proceedings are anticipated.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the NFL crippled betwixt the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers connected Nov. 9, 2025, astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, CA. (Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)

DK METCALF, LAMAR JACKSON AND OTHER NFL PLAYERS WHO HAVE HAD FAN ALTERCATIONS

Metcalf was spotted confronting the fan, who was adjacent the obstruction connected the Steelers’ sideline. He pulled the fan’s garment and took a plaything astatine the antheral who was wearing a achromatic and bluish garment and a bluish wig.

The antheral told the Detroit Free Press that Metcalf was upset that helium called the wide receiver by his afloat name.

However, the NFL Network offered a conflicting report. The outlet said Metcalf reacted the mode helium did due to the fact that the instrumentality utilized derogatory connection toward him and made a remark astir his mother. Metcalf reportedly had a antagonistic acquisition with the instrumentality past twelvemonth erstwhile helium played for the Seattle Seahawks.

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Metcalf is expected to look subject successful either the signifier of a good oregon suspension.

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