Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf swung at a Lions fan’s head during an in-game altercation just before halftime of Sunday’s 29-24 Steelers victory in Detroit.
It’s not initially clear what sparked the altercation. CBS cameras captured Metcalf clearly taking a swing at the fan and appearing to make contact.
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The incident happened late in the the second quarter as the Lions’ offense was on the field. Metcalf got into an exchange with a fan wearing Lions colors in the first row of the stands. Metcalf stood with his hand balled in a fist as the two appeared to exchange words. Metcalf then swung at the fan and appeared to make a glancing blow with the fan’s head before walking away.
Per the Lions, via the Detroit Free Press, the fan was ejected from the game. The NFL, meanwhile, released a statement that it cannot intervene for an ejection of Metcalf during the game.
“There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the NFL statement reads, per the Free Press.
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Officials didn’t appear to see the incident. Metcalf took the field with the Steelers on their next offensive possession.
Rules analyst Gene Steratore weighed in on the incident on the CBS broadcast.
“On this situation, because the officials did not see this, and you wouldn’t expect them to there where DK Metcalf was, it’s not something they can weigh into from an officiating standpoint,” Steratore said.
“I have been notified though, that that will be delivered to compliance with the NFL, and they’ll address it at that point.”
Metcalf and the fan reportedly have history. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Metcalf reported the same fan to NFL security in 2024 when Metcalf was still a member of the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks played the Lions in Week 4 last season.
A source identified as close to Metcalf told Pelissero the fan called Metcalf’s mother a derogatory word and referred to Metcalf as “something we both know you don’t call a Black man” on Sunday.
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Fan denies use of racist language
The Free Press interviewed the fan on Sunday and identified him as Ryan Kennedy. On Monday, an attorney for Kennedy released as statement calling allegations that Kennedy used racist or derogatory language toward Metcalf “completely false.”
“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 December 21, 2025 at Ford Field during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions game,” the statement reads. … “At no point before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind.”
Whatever Kennedy said, Metcalf can surely expect discipline from the league. He hasn’t addressed the incident in public. He reportedly left the locker room Sunday night as doors opened to the media without talking.
“I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it, and I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to DK, so I have no comment,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said postgame.