A Detroit Lions fan disclosed that DK Metcalf threw a punch at him after he called the Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver by his full name during their match at the Ford Field on Sunday.
Per the Detroit Free Press, the incident, which was captured on camera, occurred during the second quarter. In the video, Metcalf, 28, is seen approaching the fan before he pulls his blue wig and throws a punch at him.
In the aftermath of the incident, the fan told that news outlet that he was “a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
“My words don’t matter because it was on camera,” the fan added.
The fan was also asked what his name was, but he initially did not disclose it. “My name is ‘Biggest Detroit Lions Fan Ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,'” he said.
The fan, however, revealed his identity after he was asked again. He identified himself as Ryan Kennedy, adding that he’s from Pinckney, Michigan.
“What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” Kennedy said. “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.”
The Lions said that the fan was not made to leave the game in the aftermath of the incident. Officials with the NFL franchise, however, spoke with the fan about the altercation.
In a statement, the NFL also said that it was unable to intervene for Metcalf’s ejection, the Detroit Free Press reported.
“There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the NFL said.
Tracy Wolfson, who is a CBS sideline reporter, witnessed the altercation. “He came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey, he went over and the fan said something to him,” Wolfson said on the broadcast. “Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything, we’ll see if the league takes action, guys.”
Following a touchdown from the Lions in the second quarter, CBS rules official Gene Steratore stated that referees were unable to either eject Metcalf from the game or punish him.
The next line of action will be “delivered to compliance,” meaning that Metcalf could later be fined or suspended.
Another angle of the DK Metcalf incident ????
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 22, 2025
(via @BussinWTB, h/t @MySportsUpdate)pic.twitter.com/HFrMG1JVZH
