The NFL has announced that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will be suspended for two games for an altercation with a Lions fan during Sunday's game. In the middle of the game, Metcalf walked over to where a fan in a blue wig was yelling things at him, grabbed the fan by his collar, and then bopped him on the face.
DK Metcalf punching a Lions fan.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner.bsky.social) 2025-12-21T22:35:48.062Z
It's not clear what the fan said to Metcalf to earn his punch, but it is safe to assume that anyone who goes to an NFL game dressed like that, and hangs over the railing to talk shit to a player, is at best an exhausting fellow and at worst an evil guy. NFL insider Tom Pelissero spoke to a "source close to Metcalf" after the game who said that the fan called Metcalf's mom a derogatory word and called Metcalf “something we both know you don’t call a black man.”
A reporter from the Detroit Free Press managed to track down the fan, who is named Ryan Kennedy, during the game and get his side of the story:
"My words don’t matter because it was on camera," they added.
When initially asked what his name was, the fan said, "My name is 'Biggest Detroit Lions Fan Ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.'"
After getting further pressed, the fan said his name was Ryan Kennedy and that he's from Pinckney, Michigan.
“What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf," Kennedy said. "He doesn’t like his government 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."
OK, man. Very cool.
Metcalf is appealing the suspension, and the result of that appeal has a lot more riding on it than a couple of game checks. Due to the specifics of Metcalf's contract, a suspension would allow the Steelers, if they decided they wanted to release him, to get out of paying the remaining $45 million in guaranteed money that Metcalf is owed. Metcalf is the Steelers' leading receiver by a wide margin, which should protect him from being waived. Then again, if Aaron Rodgers sticks around for another season, he might convince the front office that the best course of action is releasing Metcalf and bringing Jordy Nelson out of retirement.
