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The Detroit Lions fan involved in the 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 and never has in his 15 years as a season ticket holder.
“It’s really hard to be upset, but there’s two things – animal cruelty, racism – like I get hot right away. Like I can feel my face get all hot, so I think I’m going to be crystal clear about one thing: I didn’t use any racist slurs, no hate speech, none of that at the game. That at all.” Kennedy said at 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, Calif., on Nov. 9, 2025. (Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)
Kennedy said his family had received threats and asked that Metcalf state that he did not use any racial slur against the Steelers star. Kennedy referred to Metcalf as DeKaylin, his real name, instead of his widely used nickname, DK, at the press conference.
“DeKaylin, if you keep an eye on this man, just, if you could just say that, please. My family gets threats and stuff, it’s not cool. So whether you said it or not, I’m sure you didn’t want that to happen to the family, even though you did I forgive you man. That’s all I got, go Lions,” Kennedy said.
NFL HOLDS SUSPENSION OF 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 Rio)
Metcalf has not spoken publicly about the altercation. He was suspended two games by the NFL for throwing a punch at Kennedy. Several reports indicated that racial slurs were hurled at him, which triggered the indication.
Metcalf was shown by the CBS broadcast grabbing a fan by the shirt and swinging at him.
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Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press that he cursed Metcalf by calling him by his full name.
