DK Metcalf Sued for $100 Million in Defamation and Assault Lawsuit by Lions Fan
Feb. 4, 2026 — Detroit
A Detroit Lions fan, Ryan Kennedy, filed a $100 million defamation and assault lawsuit against Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf in Wayne County Circuit Court, stemming from an altercation during a December 21, 2025, game at Ford Field. Kennedy alleges Metcalf falsely accused him of using racial slurs, leading to reputational harm, physical assault, and threats.
The suit, announced at a press conference by Kennedy and his attorney Jon Marko, names additional defendants including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ford Field Management LLC, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Shay Shay Media LLC, and All Time Sports LLC. Kennedy claims defamation through libel and slander after Metcalf and others publicly stated he used the N-word and a misogynistic slur about Metcalf’s mother during heckling from the stands.
“I filed this lawsuit not out of anger but out of the need to restore the truth and accountability,” Kennedy said at the 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.”
Incident Details
Video footage from the Lions-Steelers game shows Metcalf reaching over the railing, grabbing Kennedy by the shirt, shoving him, and swiping at his face near the Steelers’ sideline. Kennedy admits to heckling and using Metcalf’s full name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, but denies any racial or threatening language. The NFL suspended Metcalf for two games, with the appeal denied.
Chad Johnson, on a podcast with Sharpe, claimed:
“Based on what I was told, from a reliable source, who wears number four that’s what it was — (Kennedy) called (Metcalf) the N-word.”
Kennedy’s attorney Jon Marko described the accusations as devastating:
“The N-Word is the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in the English language. No other word expresses so much hatred and bigotry. Falsely accusing someone of using that word hurts not only the person falsely accused, but hurts every true victim of racial hatred and bigotry.”
NFL Findings and Claims
A December 24, 2025, letter from the Detroit Lions’ Ejections & Incident Review Committee to Kennedy found no evidence supporting Metcalf’s allegations:
“Mr. Metcalf alleged that prior to the physical altercation, he was subjected to verbal harassment from you, including racist and misogynistic language… At this time we have not found any evidence that confirms these specific violations.”
The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages, a public retraction, and correction of defamatory statements. Marko called the incident “assault and battery on the national stage.”
This dk metcalf sued case highlights tensions between fans and players, with Kennedy emphasizing it is about accountability rather than vengeance. No responses from defendants were immediately available in the reports.
