Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will not face criminal charges for an altercation with a fan during the Steelers' December game in Detroit
NEED TO KNOW
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The fan, Ryan Kennedy, filed a civil lawsuit against Metcalf, which his lawyer said will continue
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Metcalf's lawyer praised prosecutors for not pressing charges, adding that his team is "thankful for the hard work and thorough investigation that led to this just result"
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will not face criminal charges for an altercation with Lions fan Ryan Kennedyduring the Steelers’ December 2025 game in Detroit.
After examining the evidence in the case, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said in a Friday, May 1,statementthat it declined to press charges against Metcalf, 28. The investigation involved interviews with the fan, Ford Field security staff and fans seated near where the interaction happened. Investigators also examined video footage of the incident.
The Steelers played the Lions at Ford Field on Dec. 21, 2025. During the game, Metcalf was seen having a tense conversation with a Lions fan seated near the Steelers bench. He could be seen grabbing the fan’s shirt and appeared to punch the man’s face.
According to Wayne County prosecutors, the fan was holding a Metcalf jersey to get an autograph.
“As he approached the front railing of the stands, he said something to Mr. Metcalf,” prosecutors said. “As Mr. Metcalf approached the stands, there was a brief interaction where Mr. Metcalf grabbed his shirt and pushed him back. The fan did not appear to be injured, nor did he seek medical attention at the game.”
Metcalf, whom the NFL suspended fortwo games without payafter the incident, is still facing a civil lawsuit from Kennedy, reports theDetroit Free Press. In February,Kennedy filed a lawsuit against Metcalf, Ford Field management and former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson for their role in making “defamatory and life-altering statements” about Kennedy.
During an episode of theNightcappodcast, Johnson claimed Metcalf told him that Kennedy used racial slurs during the altercation,an allegation Kennedy has denied.
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Kennedy’s lawyer, Jonathan R. Marko, told theFree Pressthat the prosecutor’s decision not to charge Metcalf has “no effect” on the lawsuit, which is ongoing.
“I think a responsible person upon seeing the video would consider that an assault and/or a battery under the criminal law,” Marko told the outlet, adding that the decision was “not surprising” due to the “tremendous resources” it would take to prosecute.
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Metcalf’s lawyer, Mitch Schuster, told PEOPLE they “applaud the decision” by prosecutors “and are thankful for the hard work and thorough investigation that led to this just result."
“We are confident that justice will also prevail in the civil claim involving Mr. Kennedy,” Schuster’s statement continued. “As Mr. Metcalf's counterclaim in the civil case makes clear, Mr. Kennedy's hate-fueled conduct has no place anywhere, and especially not in professional sports.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Marko for comment.
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