The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office revealed Friday that Steelers star DK Metcalf won’t face charges over a high-profile physical altercation with a Lions fan at Ford Field in Detroit.
“After an extensive review of all the relevant evidence, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has determined that charges will not issue in this case,” the prosecutor’s office announced. “The warrant request is denied.”
Metcalf was allegedly heckled by 45-year-old Ryan Kennedy during the Dec. 21, 2025 game as the fan tried to get an autograph.
The 6-foot-4 wideout grabbed Kennedy and shoved him in a moment that was shown on national TV.
Metcalf has not addressed the incident publicly, though a confidant claimed to NFL Network that Kennedy called Metcalf’s mom a “derogatory word and called Metcalf ‘something we both know you don’t call a black man.’”
Kennedy was not shy about giving his side of the incident.
“He doesn’t like his government name,” Kennedy told the Free Press, referring to Metcalf’s full name of DeKaylin, the following day. “I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt.”
Metcalf finished the game — a 29-24 Steelers win — but was suspended two games for the incident, costing him $555,555 in salary.
The pair seemingly have a history dating back to Metcalf’s time with the Seahawks, in which he supposedly reported Kennedy to team security during a 2025 game.
Kennedy filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against Metcalf for assault, as well as ex-NFLers Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe after Johnson claimed Kennedy used a racial slur during his confrontation with Metcalf.
Kennedy has continually denied doing so.
The civil case won’t be impeded by a lack of criminal charges, Kennedy’s lawyer, Jon Marko, told The Free Press.
“I think a reasonable person upon seeing the video would consider that an assault and/or a battery under the criminal law,” he said.
Per The Detroit News, the suit is pending and has a status conference scheduled for May 5.
