Steelers’ DK Metcalf’s suspension upheld
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The NFL upheld the two-game suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers star DK Metcalf on Wednesday.
The league suspended the wide receiver after he took a hard hit at a Detroit Lions fan during a game on Sunday.
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DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
The NFL said Monday that Metcalf’s actions violated league policy; that policy states: “Players may not enter the stands or confront fans at any time during the game day and…if a player engages in unnecessary physical contact with a fan that would constitute unsportsmanlike conduct or create crowd control issues and/or risk of injury, he or she will be held accountable.”
Ryan Kennedy, the Lions fan who was hit by Metcalf, was accused of using derogatory language towards the NFL player. However, he denied using any hate speech.
Kennedy issued a statement through Chief Murphy Law in Michigan, denying accusations that he used the “N-word,” the “C-word” or “any racist, misogynistic or hate-based slur directed at Metcalf.” Kennedy’s representatives called the allegations “completely false.”
“Mr. Kennedy never used racial slurs or any form of hate speech before, during or after the incident,” the statement said. “Any claims to the contrary are untrue and are not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts, or any contemporaneous reporting. Despite media reports last night and today, Mr. Kennedy has not used such language during his interactions with Mr. Metcalf or other players in the past.”
DK Metcalf #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
STEELERS STAR WILL FACE A BIG MONEY PROBLEM IF HE IS SUSPENDED DUE TO CHANGE OF FANS
“Since these false statements began to circulate publicly, Mr. Kennedy has been subjected to harassment, threats, and messages advocating violence, raising serious concerns for his and his family’s personal safety and well-being. No private person should be falsely stigmatized by such accusations or subjected to misinformed threats.”
The statement stated that Kennedy would not comment further as legal proceedings were awaited.
Metcalf did not speak about the incident but received support from head coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday.
“He explained to me why he did this, and I certainly do not condone this behavior, but I support DK. And I really don’t have much to add other than what I just told you,” he said.
Metcalf was spotted by CBS cameras confronting the fan near the Steelers’ sideline barrier. He pulled his fan’s shirt and struck the man wearing a black-and-blue shirt and blue wig.
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The man told Detroit Free Press Metcalf was upset about calling the wide receiver by his full name.
Fox News’ Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.
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