The NFL has announced that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will be suspended for two games following an incident with a Detroit Lions fan, while the fan involved will face no disciplinary action. Both the league and the Lions confirmed that the fan’s behavior did not violate the NFL’s fan code of conduct.

The altercation took place after the Steelers’ narrow 29-24 victory over the Lions. Video footage shows Metcalf approaching a fan wearing a blue wig, grabbing it, and pushing it toward him. The fan, identified as Ryan Kennedy by the Detroit Free Press, said Metcalf reacted after being called by his full legal name.

Metcalf offered a different account, citing a prior history with Kennedy dating back to his time with the Seattle Seahawks, including a previous report made against Kennedy in 2024.
Sources told NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero that Metcalf claimed Kennedy directed a racial slur at him and insulted his mother.

Kennedy’s attorney denied this, stating that no racial, misogynistic, or hate-related language was used during the incident. Additional fan-recorded video seems to support the fan’s version, with no slurs clearly audible.

Metcalf appealed the suspension but was denied, meaning he will miss the final two games of the season and forfeit over $500,000. The suspension could also impact $45 million in guaranteed money under the four-year, $132 million contract extension he signed with the Steelers. Despite this, the team has expressed its intention to retain Metcalf beyond 2025.

The receiver could return in a potential wild-card playoff game if the Steelers make the postseason. Currently, Pittsburgh leads the AFC North by two games over the Baltimore Ravens, and the team can clinch the division with either one win or a Ravens loss in the next two weeks.