Steelers receiver DK Metcalf won't be charged for incident at Lions game

Kara Berg, The Detroit News on May 1, 2026

Published in Football

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DETROIT — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will not face charges for grabbing a Detroit Lions fan's shirt and pushing him back during a game in December, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Lion's fan Ryan Kennedy, 45, was allegedly heckling Metcalf from where Kennedy sat behind the Steelers' bench. Kennedy left his seat with a Metcalf jersey to get an autograph, according to prosecutors, and said something to the player as he approached him.

There was a brief interaction where Metcalf grabbed Kennedy's shirt and pushed him back, according to prosecutors, though earlier reports said Metcalf punched Kennedy. Kennedy was not injured, according to prosecutors.

There was no in-game punishment for Metcalf. The Steelers' leading receiver by a considerable margin rejoined his team on the sideline after the altercation and reentered the game. He was suspended for two games without pay by the NFL the day after the Lions-Steelers game.

Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson, on his podcast with former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe the night of the game, said Kennedy used a slur against Metcalf, but the fan denied doing so. He said he has been a Lions season-ticket holder for 15 years, and has never used the kind of language that Johnson claimed on his podcast.

In February, Kennedy filed a $100 million lawsuit against Metcalf, Johnson, the Steelers, Ford Field management and two media companies for their role in what he called “defamatory and life-altering statements."

The lawsuit lists nine counts total, including two counts of defamation against Metcalf, Johnson, and media companies “Shay Shay Media” and “The Volume,” one count of assault and battery against Metcalf, one count of liability against the Steelers, and one count of negligence, one count of civil conspiracy, and one count of intentional infliction of emotional distress against all defendants, including Ford Field Management.

Kennedy alleges in the lawsuit that he was physically assaulted by Metcalf, who he claims in the lawsuit grabbed his shirt collar, initiating “the physical contact … without provocation.”

Kennedy’s civil attorney Jon Marko said the denial of charges is "insignificant." He said there are lots of reasons why prosecutors may decide not to bring charges that aren’t related to the merit of the case, like the resources it would take to prosecute a high-profile person who lives out of state for a misdemeanor.

The lawsuit remains pending and has a status conference scheduled for May 5. Marko said the case is moving forward.

Metcalf and Kennedy have history, according to a report from NFL Network. Metcalf, per the report, reported Kennedy to Seattle Seahawks security during the prior season's game at Ford Field. Metcalf was then a member of the Seahawks.