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The Detroit Lions fan who was involved in the altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, Ryan Kennedy, held a news conference Friday and said he did not use any racial slurs toward Metcalf.
Kennedy said he did not use any racial slurs or hate speech on Sunday, and has never done so in his 15 years as a season ticket holder.
“It’s really hard to get upset, but there are two things – animal abuse, racism – like I get hot right away. Like I can feel my face getting all hot, so I guess I want to be very clear about one thing: I didn’t use any racial slurs, any hate speech, any of that during the game. Actually, never, being a Lions season ticket holder for 15 years, I’ve never done that at all.” Kennedy said during his press conference.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on November 9, 2025. (Jevone Moore/Sportswire Icon)
Kennedy said his family received threats and asked Metcalf to state that he did not use any racial slurs toward the Steelers star. Kennedy called Metcalf DeKaylin, his real name, instead of his widely used nickname, DK, during the news conference.
“DeKaylin, if you look at this man, if you could just say that, please. My family is getting threats and stuff, 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, come on Lions,” Kennedy said.
NFL CONFIRMS SUSPENSION OF STEELERS STAR DK METCALF
DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Metcalf has not spoken publicly about the altercation. He was suspended for two games by the NFL for throwing a punch at Kennedy. Multiple reports indicated that racist slurs were thrown at him, which triggered this tip.
Metcalf was shown by the CBS broadcast grabbing a fan by the shirt and throwing a punch.
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Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press that he heckled Metcalf by calling him by his full name.
