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What Lions Fan Really Said to Steelers' DK Metcalf Before Fight

The NFL will likely be investigating both parties involved after the Pittsburgh Steelers wideout swung at a fan.
Noah Strackbein|
Dec 21, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers now know the truth about why DK Metcalf got into an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan during the team's Week 16 win. Metcalf was seen throwing a punch at the fan after grabbing his shirt and then walking away.

At the time, the Lions fan, whose name is Ryan Kennedy, claimed he simply called Metcalf by his real name.

"What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf," Kennedy said, according to the Detroit Press. "He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby."

Now, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is revealing the truth. He admitted that he spoke with Metcalf about the incident, which Metcalf revealed what was really said by the fan.

"He called him a racial slur," Johnson told his co-host, Shannon Sharpe, on the Nightcap Podcast. "He called the N-word and called his mom a ****. And I think with those words being exchanged and the fans saying that, I think that's where the action occurred, where I think he threw a punch. I'm not sure if he connected or whatever. But he did call him the n-word and he called his mama, I guess, the c-word."

Punishment Most Likely Coming

If Johnson's words are true, the Lions fan should be facing discipline by the NFL just like Metcalf most likely will. Racism should never be accepted during games, and harrassing players with racial slurs should not be tolerated by the league.

And one thing is for sure, the NFL always finds out exactly what happened, and if the fan is lying about what he said, the league is going to know.

For Metcalf, he is likely going to face a hefty fine and could even miss a game or more because of the altercation. With two regular season games remaining, it would not be surprising to see Metcalf be suspended for at least a game, missing Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns.

Luckily for the Steelers, they may not need to win any more games to win the AFC North. If the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, the Steelers will win the division before kickoff against the Browns.

So, if there was a time to miss, now is it. Not that Pittsburgh or Metcalf wants that to happen, but chances are it's going to.

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah Strackbein is a Publisher for On SI, covering the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2019. A Jessup, PA native, Noah attended Point Park University, where he fell in love with the Steel City and everything it has to offer. You can find Noah's work at Steelers On SI and weekdays as the hosts of All Steelers Talk.

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