Detroit Lions Fan Has DK Metcalf Sued for $100 Million in Defamation and Assault Lawsuit
Feb. 3, 2026 — Detroit
Ryan Kennedy, a Detroit Lions fan, filed a $100 million lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court against Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, accusing him of defamation and assault following a sideline altercation at Ford Field on Dec. 21, 2025, during a Lions-Steelers game. The suit, which has DK Metcalf sued by Kennedy for allegedly falsely claiming he used racial slurs including the N-word, also names the Steelers, Ford Field Management LLC, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Shannon Sharpe’s Shay Shay Media LLC, and All Time Sports LLC as defendants.
Kennedy alleges Metcalf grabbed his shirt over the railing, pulled him down, and swiped at his face after Kennedy heckled him from the stands, calling him by his full name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf. The incident, captured on video, led to Metcalf’s two-game NFL suspension. Kennedy denies using slurs, stating the accusations caused reputational damage, threats, and harm to his family business.
NFL Investigation Findings
A Dec. 24, 2025, letter from the Detroit Lions’ Ejections & Incident Review Committee to Kennedy, shared exclusively with FOX 2 Detroit, found “no evidence that confirms” Metcalf’s claims of racist and misogynistic language from Kennedy. This supports Kennedy’s denial amid the DK Metcalf sued case focusing on defamation over the alleged slurs.
Media Amplification and Claims
The day after the game, Johnson claimed on the “Nightcap” podcast with Sharpe that a “reliable source who wears number four”—allegedly Metcalf—told him Kennedy used the N-word and a slur about Metcalf’s mother. The lawsuit alleges this instigated widespread media coverage, branding Kennedy a racist despite no evidence.
“I filed this lawsuit not out of anger but out of the need to restore the truth and accountability,” Kennedy said at a press conference. “Being publicly labeled a racist based on something I did not say has caused serious damage to my family, business, reputation, and has put my personal safety at risk.”
Kennedy’s attorney, Jon Marko, added:
“The N-Word is the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in the English language… Falsely accusing someone of using that word hurts not only the person falsely accused, but hurts every true victim of racial hatred and bigotry.”
The suit seeks damages, retractions, and notes ignored requests for corrections.
Additional Context
Detroit police are investigating the assault, with a warrant request pending. A status conference is set for May 5, 2026. Metcalf’s agent did not respond to comment requests, and the Steelers have not publicly addressed the DK Metcalf sued action. Kennedy’s team plans to amend the complaint with prior similar allegations from a 2024 Lions game when Metcalf played for Seattle.
