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The Detroit Lions fan who was involved in the altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, Ryan Kennedy, held a press conference Friday and said he did not use any racial slur toward Metcalf.
Kennedy said he did not use any racial slurs or hate speech on Sunday, and had never done so in his 15 years as a season-ticket holder.
“It’s really hard to get mad, but there are two things – animal abuse, racism – like I get hot right away. Like I can feel my face getting 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 in the game. Actually, I’ve never, as a 15-year season ticket holder for the Lions, ever done that, at all.” Kennedy said in his press conference.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and 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 testify that he did not use any racial slur toward the Steelers star. Kennedy referred to Metcalf as DeKaylin, his real name, rather than his widely used nickname, DK, at the news conference.
“DeKaylin, if you’re watching this guy, if you could say that, please. My family is getting threats and stuff, it’s not right. So whether you said that or not, I’m sure you didn’t want that to happen to the family, even if you did, like I forgive you, man. That’s all I got, come on Lions,” Kennedy said.
NFL MAINTAINS SUSPENSION FOR STEELERS STAR DK METCALF
Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Río)
Metcalf has not spoken publicly about the altercation. The NFL suspended him for two games for throwing a punch at Kennedy. Multiple reports indicated that racial slurs were hurled at him, prompting the indication.
The CBS broadcast showed Metcalf grabbing a fan by the shirt and punching him.
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Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press that he was bothering Metcalf by calling him by his full name.
