Lions fan pleads with DK Metcalf to set record straight: 'Just say that please'

Tony Paul, The Detroit News on Dec 26, 2025

Published in Football

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FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — The Lions' playoff hopes are over.

But a Lions fan's potential legal battle in the wake of an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers receiver DK Metcalf last week at Ford Field might just be getting started.

A lawyer for Lions fan Ryan Kennedy said they are "evaluating all of our options," speaking during a press conference at Head Murphy Law offices Friday morning. Lawyer Shawn Head said he has reached out to Metcalf in an attempt to get the NFL star to "correct the record" over reports that Kennedy used racial slurs and other inappropriate language that led to the altercation Dec. 21. Metcalf, Head said, hasn't responded.

Kennedy said he has been a Lions season-ticket holder for 15 years, and has never used the kind of language that former star receiver Chad Johnson claimed on his podcast in the hours after the Lions-Steelers game.

"It's really hard to get me upset, but there's two things ― animal abuse and racism, I get hot right away. Like, I could feel it in my face," Kennedy, wearing a backward Lions hat, said Friday. "I want to be crystal clear about one thing: I didn't use any racial slurs, no hate speech, none of that stuff.

"If you're watching this, man, just if you could just say that please. Like, my family's getting threats and stuff, and it's not cool. So whether you said that or not, I'm sure you didn't want that to happen to the family. Even if you did, like I forgive you, man. That's all I got. Go Lions."

During the press conference, Kennedy referred to Metcalf as DeKaylin, his official first name. It was the use of that name that might've sparked the altercation in the first place.

Head said Kennedy, who was holding a Steelers jersey, asked Metcalf for an autograph. Metcalf approached and, in a brief exchange, grabbed Kennedy and took a swing at the fan.

Metcalf, 28, has been suspended for two games without pay by the NFL. Kennedy was interviewed by Ford Field security, according to his lawyer, and was allowed to watch the rest of the game.

"Mr. Kennedy has been a season-ticket holder for 15 years. He knows what the rules are, and he stays within them," said Head, who answered all questions on Kennedy's behalf. "Certainly, he was excited to get the attention of a player. That's not unusual. It's not unusual for a spectator to cheer, jeer or try to get the attention of a professional athlete. What is unusual is when a professional athlete reacts. What's even more unusual is when a professional athlete reacts, walks to the stands, reaches into the stands and then grabs a spectator. That's what's unusual here.

"What's even more unfortunate is, then, the false accusations later that Mr. Kennedy used racial slurs."

Head confirmed a report that there was a complaint filed against Kennedy by Metcalf or the receiver's representatives last year, too, when Metcalf was playing for the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks played the Lions at Ford Field in September 2024, and Head said that incident was investigated by Ford Field security personnel, and that Kennedy was allowed to watch the rest of that game, as well.

This is the second public reaction from Kennedy and his lawyers, who put out a statement denying the accusations he used hate speech. Those claims came Sunday night on Johnson's podcast.

While Kennedy would not say what kind of business he is in, Head said that business has suffered following the incident and subsequent allegations of racist and misogynistic language during the late-first-half altercation. Kennedy, who was wearing a blue wig and raised his arms after Metcalf took a swing Sunday, denies all of that. Through his lawyer, Kennedy didn't deny the video that has surfaced showing him saying, "That was the goal."

"Being falsely branded as a racist is one of the most damaging accusations that a private citizen can endure," said Head, adding that no lawsuit has been filed.

"It's dangerous, and it causes very real consequences and very real damage.

"We will not allow false accusations of racism to go uncorrected."

The altercation has reignited the debate over what is and what is not acceptable when it comes to fans and their exchanges with athletes or coaches.

It's not the first time an incident made headlines at Ford Field. Last season, a fan got into it with Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur prior to the national anthem. The fan, who was on the field to participate in the anthem ceremonies, had his season tickets "indefinitely" revoked by the Lions, and issued a public apology in an interview with The Detroit News.

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, no stranger to hearing it from fans, defended his teammate this week.

“There’s always a lot of different things that are said. Some things that are benign, and some things that aren’t,” Rodgers told reporters. “I think there’s a mindset that you pay for a ticket, you say whatever the hell you want.

"I think there should be some sort of code of conduct. Obviously, that was intentional, and I think there was some celebration afterwards on (Kennedy's) part.”