Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been suspended two games without pay by the NFL after an on-field altercation between himself and a Detroit Lions fan during Sunday’s 29-24 Steelers win at Ford Field.
According to the NFL release, Metcalf was suspended “for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan,” which violates the league policy that specifies “players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.” Source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Metcalf plans to appeal the suspension; if the suspension stands, Metcalf will forfeit $555,556 for the two games – Week 17’s game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 28, and the Week 18’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The incident occurred late in the second quarter as Metcalf moved toward the front row of the stands near the end zone. Footage showed Metcalf exchanging words with a fan in a blue wig leading to a physical clash where he grabbed the fan’s collar and pushed him. Officials did not flag the play, and Metcalf returned to the field for Pittsburgh’s next offensive series. The NFL later clarified that in-game intervention was not possible. “There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the league had previously said in a statement.
The fan involved, identified as Ryan Kennedy, was ejected from the stadium, according to the Lions. Kennedy later told the Detroit Free Press that he was “a little rattled” following the exchange and claimed Metcalf reacted after being addressed by his full name: “I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
On Monday, multiple sources reported Metcalf and the fan involved have a prior history – dating back to Metcalf’s time with the Seattle Seahawks. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero wrote on social media that Metcalf and Kennedy’s history included Metcalf having to alert team security about Kennedy during Seattle’s Week 4 visit to Detroit last season. A source close to Metcalf told Pelissero that the fan used offensive language, including remarks about Metcalf’s mother and a racial slur during Sunday’s incident.
Kennedy denied the allegations against him in a statement released through his attorneys on Monday. Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of Head Murphy Law Firm said in the release that “at no point before, during, or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind. Ryan Kennedy categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word,’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident that occurred on Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions game.” The statement goes on to say that Kennedy has experienced “harassment, threats and messages advocating violence” since allegations began circulating about him on social media.
Metcalf finished the game with four catches for 42 yards. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver leads Pittsburgh with 850 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 59 receptions this season.
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