Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy, who was involved in a physical incident with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during Week 16 of the 2025 regular season, is suing multiple parties tied to the incident that occurred last December.
According to CBS Sports’ DeJanay Booth-Singleton, Kennedy filed a $100 million lawsuit against the Steelers organization, wide receiver DK Metcalf, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Shannon Sharpe’s company Shay Shay Media, All Time Sports LLC, and Ford Field for defamation and negligence.
Per reporter Ari Meirov, Kennedy claims he was “falsely branded a racist in national media” after the altercation with Metcalf on December 21. His legal team states there is no video or audio evidence to support claims that racial slurs were involved.
Additionally, Kennedy is suing Metcalf for assault and battery, as well as the Steelers for their “alleged liability in the incident.”
#Lions fan Ryan Kennedy has filed a $100M lawsuit against #Steelers WR DK Metcalf and the media company tied to Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe, alleging defamation, negligence, and more.
Kennedy says he was falsely branded a racist in national media following a Dec. 21… pic.twitter.com/iM3H0K164o
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 3, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers sued by Lions fan involved in DK Metcalf altercation