Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy has filed a $100 million lawsuit against DK Metcalf and other defendants after the Pittsburgh Steelers star got into an altercation with him at Ford Field in December 2025.
Besides Metcalf, the other defendants named in the lawsuit include Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe’s media company, FOX 2 Detroit reported. The pair, who are former NFL stars, co-host the Nightcap podcast.
The allegations brought against Metcalf, 28, and the other defendants in the lawsuit include defamation and negligence. Kennedy’s lawyer, Jon Marko, said that the lawsuit was filed after his client was “branded a racist in national media.”
Kennedy and Metcalf made the news during the December 21 game between the Lions and Steelers. Metcalf approached Kennedy, then grabbed the Lions fan, and appeared to throw a punch at him, videos showed. That was after Kennedy told Metcalf something.
In the aftermath of the incident, Kennedy denied claims that he hurled racial slurs at Metcalf. A Michigan law firm stated that Kennedy never used any racial slur, “misogynistic, or hate-based language during the incident,” ESPN reported.
The NFL ultimately handed Metcalf a two-game suspension, explaining in a statement that the 28-year-old was punished for “conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan.” Metcalf lost $555,556 in salary because of the two-game suspension.
Following the altercation, Kennedy also told the Detroit Free Press that the altercation stemmed from him calling Metcalf by his government name.
“He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby,” Kennedy said at the time.
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Kennedy was also not made to leave the stadium in the aftermath of the incident.
“It is really hard to get me upset,” Kennedy also said at a previous press conference, adding that the two things that get him seriously upset are racism and animal abuse, FOX 2 Detroit reported.
Marko claimed that Johnson and Sharpe falsely accused Kennedy on their Nightcap podcast after the allegations against his client were circulated across the media.
“The lawsuit alleges that Johnson, appearing on the widely-viewed ‘Nightcap’ podcast co-hosted by Shannon Sharpe, falsely claimed that Kennedy called Metcalf the ‘N-word’ and referred to Metcalf’s mother using a vile misogynistic slur—statements that Kennedy categorically denies and that no video or audio evidence supports,” Marko’s office said in a statement.
Marko said that Kennedy’s reputation was negatively impacted after the allegations were widely circulated across the media. He said Kennedy also received death threats, and his mortgage company was affected.
“The false allegations, which were republished by major outlets including ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and USA Today, went viral across social media platforms with millions of views, branding Kennedy as a racist on a national scale and subjecting him to death threats, hate mail, and severe damage to his business reputation,” said Marko in a statement.
The lawsuit claims that Kennedy was physically assaulted by Metcalf, adding that the NFL star made his way to the stands and grabbed the Lions fan’s collar. The complaint also alleges that Metcalf wasn’t provoked when he established unwanted physical contact, FOX 5 Detroit reported.
“Despite Kennedy’s attorneys sending formal retraction demands to the defendants, none have issued public corrections or clarifications, allowing the false narrative to persist and continue causing harm to Kennedy’s personal and professional life.”
Besides seeking damages, Kennedy also wants the court to order the defendants to issue public retractions to vindicate him.
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