NFL news: Lions fan in altercation with Steelers star denies using racial slurs

The Detroit Lions fan involved in an 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, adding that he had 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,” Kennedy said.

“Actually, never. Having been a Lions season ticket holder for 15 years, I’ve never done that at all.”

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on November 9, 2025. (Jevone Moore/Sportswire Icon)

Kennedy said his family had received threats and asked Metcalf to confirm that Kennedy had not used 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 all that. 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. I forgive you man. That’s all I got. Come on Lions,” Kennedy said.

NFL CONFIRMS SUSPENSION OF STEELERS STAR DK METCALF

Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf sits on the bench during the second half against the Detroit Lions on 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 racial slurs were thrown at him, which sparked the altercation.

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.

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