Saying that racism is one of the few things that can get under his skin, the Detroit Lions fan involved in last week’s in-game altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf implored Metcalf to set the record straight.
During a news conference in Michigan called by a law firm representing him, Ryan Kennedy on Friday said his family and business have been subjected to threats and negative publicity in the wake of reports that Kennedy used hateful language to incite Metcalf during the second quarter of this past Sunday’s Steelers-Lions game at Ford Field.
“I want to be crystal clear about one thing,” Kennedy said via audio provided to TribLive by Head Murphy Law firm. “I didn’t use any racial slurs, no hate speech, none of that stuff at the game. Actually, never. Fifteen years, season ticket holder for the Lions, I’ve never done that at all. So, DeKaylin, if you’re watching this, man … If you could just say that, please.
“My family’s getting threats and stuff, and it’s not cool. So, whether you said (Kennedy used that language) or not, I’m sure you didn’t want that to happen to the family, (and) even if you did, like, I forgive you, man.”
Kennedy said only 147 words — the final two of which were, “Go Lions” — during the news conference that lasted 11 minutes and included a handful of questions from Detroit media. Kennedy wore a backwards Lions cap in addition to a white dress shirt and blue sport coat.
“It is really hard to get me upset,” Kennedy said to begin his remarks, “but there’s two things (that do): animal abuse (and) racism. Like, I get hot right away. I can feel it in my face, it gets all warm.”
Kennedy’s attorney, Shawn Head, spoke during most of the news conference, emphasizing repeatedly that Kennedy did not use a racial slur or a misogynistic slur during his brief interaction with Metcalf from the front row of seating behind the Steelers’ sideline and bench Sunday.
CBS cameras and fan cell phone videos captured Metcalf reaching up over a wall and railing that Kennedy leaned over, grabbing the collar of Kennedy’s shirt and shoving upward in a motion that initially looked like a punch.
Metcalf was suspended for two games by the NFL for the incident. Metcalf has not spoken publicly, but two former NFL players (James Harrison and Chad Ochocinco) said on their respective podcasts Monday that Kennedy used slurs directed at Metcalf, one in reference to Metcalf’s mother.
“We’re here today for one reason,” Head said Friday. “To correct the record. Ryan Kennedy did not use the N-word, Ryan Kennedy did not use the C-word, and he did not use any racial slurs whatsoever at any time. Those claims are absolutely false. They’re not supported by any audio or video recordings. They’re not supported by any eyewitness statements. And they’re not supported by the investigation that was conducted by Ford Field personnel on the date of the incident. Security interviewed Ryan Kennedy immediately after the incident and determined that he did not violate Ford Field’s code of conduct. He did not violate the guest code of conduct. He was then walked back to his seat and permitted to watch the rest of the game.”
No audio has emerged to hear any language Kennedy used. The Lions cleared Kennedy of wrongdoing. The NFL, after Metcalf’s appeal hearing — during which it upheld the suspension — said “the matter remains under review.”
Head did not rule out litigation going forward, presumably against Metcalf.
That Kennedy used “DeKaylin” to address Metcalf and not his surname or the name listed on the roster — “DK” — itself might be taken as inflammatory because Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press that Metcalf didn’t like being called by “his government name” when Kennedy tried to get his attention by saying, “DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.”
Head most often referenced Metcalf as “Mr. Metcalf” and on occasion as “DK.”
Metcalf has told Steelers play-by-play broadcaster Rob King that he actually prefers “DeKaylin” but that since it gets mispronounced so often, he has always had his first name listed on rosters as “DK.”
Head said Kennedy used Metcalf’s name Sunday merely to ask for an autograph.
“But what he did not say is what matters most here,” Head said. “During an entire half of football and for 15 years as a season ticket holder, (Kennedy) did not say any racial slurs. He did not call any names. And most importantly, he complied with the Ford Field guest code of conduct. He did not use any profanity. Again, he did not use any racial slurs. And he followed the rules.
“And this isn’t just me saying it. Ford Field security investigated the incident. And allowed Mr. Kennedy to return to the seats after it was determined that no code of conduct violation occurred.”
Head acknowledged that Metcalf made a previous complaint against Kennedy when Metcalf played for the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks visited the Lions in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Head said Kennedy’s goal Sunday was to get the attention of Metcalf.
“Mr. Kennedy has been a season ticket holder for 15 years,” Head said. “He knows what the rules are, and he stays within them. He doesn’t use profanity. He doesn’t use any racially motivated or hate speech, and none of that occurred.
“Cheering from the stands to professional athletes is to be expected. That is commonplace. That’s probably happened since the history of sporting events. But again, what’s unusual here is a professional athlete coming into the stands, making contact with a spectator, and then the false accusations that resulted sometime after that.”
