Ryan Kennedy, a Michigan resident who calls himself detroit lions Fans of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf are taking legal action after an altercation with him at Ford Field in December.

On December 26, Kennedy and his legal team held a press conference in Farmington Hills, Michigan. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Kennedy announced a lawsuit had been filed in Wayne County Court. The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages from the Dec. 21 incident and names DK Metcalf as pittsburg steelers and Ford Field, the Lions’ longtime home.

Former NFL player Chad Johnson, Ford Field management and multiple media platforms are also named in the lawsuit, which accuses them of making “defamatory and life-changing remarks” about Kennedy following the incident.

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Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy (center) sits next to attorney Sean Murphy (left) and attorney Sean Hyde (right) while discussing a fan altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers player DK Metcalf at the Hyde Murphy Law Firm on Dec. 26, 2025 in Farmington Hills, Michigan. (Ryan Garza/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The filing outlines nine counts, including negligence at Ford Field and multiple defamation claims against Metcalf, Johnson and former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe’s Shay Shay Media.

Metcalf during the first half of the Lions-Steelers game on December 21 seems to be wavering Kennedy sat in the stands at Ford Field. The NFL subsequently suspended Metcalf for two games to end the regular season.

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Speaking on Shay Shay Media’s “Nightcap” podcast the day after the incident, co-host Chad Johnson said Metcalf told him that Kennedy racially profiled the Steelers receiver and used a derogatory term for Metcalf’s mother.

Kennedy denied using any defamatory words at the December news conference, a claim reiterated in the lawsuit.

An overall aerial view of Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on December 7, 2023. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

“These statements were false and reckless,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff Kennedy did not call Defendant Metcalfe the ‘N-word’; did not call Defendant Metcalfe’s mother a ‘c–‘; and never used any racial slurs or hate speech…Defendant Metcalf provided Defendant Johnson with false information regarding what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby inciting and authorizing defamatory and reckless statements that were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy.”

DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches the 2025 NFL preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Kennedy also took legal action against the Steelers, alleging responsibility in the incident, while Metcalf was charged with assault and battery in the lawsuit. Claims against Ford field managers are also based on liability.

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“Defendant Ford Field Management LLC violated its duties by failing to establish or enforce adequate barriers, protocols or safety measures to prevent players from entering the stands and having physical contact with patrons,” the lawsuit states.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Lions for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Metcalf had 850 receiving yards in his first season with the Steelers.

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