DK Metcalf suspended 2 games after hitting fan during Steelers-Lions game

DK Metcalf has been suspended for two games after hitting a Detroit Lions fan on Sunday at Ford Field.

CBS cameras captured the incident, which took place during the first half of on Sunday’s Week 16 game between the Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As relayed by CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson during the broadcast, “[Metcalf] came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey, he went over, and the fan said something to him. Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said, and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything.”

You can see the incident here:

A different angle then appeared on social media:

The Detroit Free Press caught up with the fan shortly after the incident with Metcalf, who relayed that he called Metcalf by his full name — DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf — prompting the interaction.

“I called him that, and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt,” Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press. “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.”

Kennedy also stated that anything he said to Metcalf did not matter because the incident “was on camera.”

However, in the wake of the incident sources close to Metcalf described what Kennedy said as “derogatory” towards the receiver’s mother, as well as “something we both know you don’t call a black man:”

Shannon Sharpe and Ochocinco also discussed the matter on their podcast, and the former wide receiver went into detail over what it is alleged Kennedy said:

Reports also surfaced that this was not the first incident between Kennedy and Metcalf. According to Tom Pelissero, “Metcalf reported the same fan to Seahawks security last season when he played for Seattle (the Seahawks played at the Lions in Week 4 of the 2024 season).”

Earlier this season, the NFL did not impose any discipline against Lamar Jackson after the Baltimore Ravens quarterback shoved a fan who had pushed both Jackson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins following a Baltimore touchdown. While Jackson did apologize to the fan, the league did not impose a penalty.

However, the league has instituted a penalty in this case.