Via Imagn Images

Detroit Lions Fan Files Lawsuit Following DK Metcalf Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit K. | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 2:10 PM ET

A Detroit Lions fan has filed a major lawsuit following a sideline incident involving DK Metcalf.

The altercation took place during a Dec. 21 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. The game was played at Ford Field, and the incident quickly drew national attention.

The video showed Metcalf approaching the stands during the second quarter. He grabbed fan Ryan Kennedy by the shirt and appeared to swing at him. Reports later differed on what caused the exchange. Kennedy said he called Metcalf by his full legal name. However, sources close to Metcalf claimed the fan used racial slurs.

DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fan pic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 21, 2025

The NFL suspended Metcalf for two games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league. The suspension was upheld on appeal two days later, and Metcalf lost over $555,000 in salary. The discipline also put future contract guarantees at risk.

According to reporting from The Athletic, Kennedy filed a $100 million lawsuit, alleging defamation, negligence, and physical harm.

From @TheAthletic: A Detroit Lions fan who was involved in an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during a game has filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Metcalf and others. https://t.co/1HkqJCDTaK
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 4, 2026

"The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit, claims that Ryan Kennedy continues to suffer physically from the Dec. 21 altercation between Kennedy and Metcalf at Ford Field and “reputational damage and economic harm” after being falsely accused of calling Metcalf a racial slur during the incident." Jordy Fee-Platt wrote.

The lawsuit also names media figures Chad Ochocinco Johnson and Shannon Sharpe, along with their media companies.

Former NFL wide receiver Johnson talked about the incident after the incident in December on his Nightcap podcast.

"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, via ESPN. "He called him the N-word, and he did call his mom a [expletive]. I think, with those words being exchanged and the fan saying that, I think that's where the action occurred."

On the field, Metcalf posted 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. Pittsburgh finished 10-7 and won the AFC North.

However, the legal case now adds to a tense season for Metcalf.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: