Ryan Kennedy — the Detroit Lions fan involved in DK Metcalf’s viral Ford Field confrontation — held a lawyer-led press conference Friday, December 26, to deny using racial slurs or hate speech and to push back on the claims that fueled the story online.
“I didn’t use any racial slurs, no hate speech… none of that stuff at the game. Actually never… So to DeKaylin, if you’re watching this man, just if you could just say that please,” Kennedy said, per a transcription shared by The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo.
Key details to know right now
- Incident date: December 21, 2025, Steelers at Lions (PIT won 29-24).
- NFL discipline: Metcalf received a two-game suspension without pay for violating league policy in the altercation; the ban was upheld on appeal.
- Money/contract impact (reported): Metcalf forfeits $555,556 in salary; ESPN reported the suspension also voids $45 million in future guarantees, per contract language reviewed by CBS Sports and ESPN.
- Fan conduct still being reviewed: ESPN reported the NFL said the matter as it relates to the fan’s actions remains under review, based on information disclosed at Metcalf’s appeal hearing.
Ryan Kennedy Denies Slurs, Asks Metcalf to “Say That”
Kennedy’s public stance has stayed consistent: he says he did not use the “N-word,” “C-word,” or any hate-based language, and that the viral moment escalated for other reasons.
As Heavy previously reported, Kennedy’s attorneys framed Friday’s event as a response to the “serious consequences” he says he has faced, including threats to his safety, while also disputing what has been “repeated as fact” online.
Kennedy’s lawyers also confirmed that he was previously reported to NFL or Detriot Lions for misconduct in September of 2024, but did not provide any more context than that, and did not clarify who reported Kennedy, according to Rachel Hoymayer of CBS.
Why This Matters for Metcalf, the NFL, and the “What Was Said?” Fight
The NFL’s two-game punishment was rooted in conduct — not the alleged words — and the league has been clear in its discipline language that players may not enter the stands or initiate physical contact with fans on game day.
But the he-said/he-said part still matters because it’s now tied to ongoing review and potential legal fallout. ESPN reported that while the Lions indicated Kennedy wouldn’t face team discipline, the NFL said the fan’s conduct is still under review based on what Metcalf disclosed in the appeal hearing.
And as we detailed in our earlier Heavy reporting, this didn’t pop up out of nowhere: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported a source close to Metcalf alleged offensive language was used, and that Metcalf had previously flagged the same fan to Seahawks security during a prior trip to Detroit.
What Happens Next
On the football side, the timing remains brutal for Pittsburgh: Metcalf is set to miss games against Cleveland and Baltimore (Weeks 17 and 18), starting with Sunday’s trip to the Browns.
On the bigger story, December 26’s press conference is Kennedy’s attempt to put his denial on the record, and to press Metcalf, publicly, to clarify whether he believes a slur was used. Whether the NFL’s continuing review produces any additional action (or whether this turns into a courtroom fight) is the next pressure point in a saga that has already cost Metcalf games, and potentially a massive amount of money.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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