(WXYZ) — The Detroit Lions fan who says he was punched by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is filing a $100+ million lawsuit against the player and others.
Watch Whitney Burney's video report:
Ryan Kennedy and Marko Law Firm filed the $100 million defamation lawsuit against Metcalf, Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and Shannon Sharpe's Media company Shay Shay Media Wednesday.
Watch the full news conference:
Watch our previous report about Kennedy in the video below
The lawsuit alleges that Ochocinco defamed Kennedy by claiming that Kennedy used a racial slur toward Metcalf and used another word toward Metcalf's mother.
Metcalf has never publicly said that a racial slur was used.
"I didn't use any racial slurs, no hate speech. I mean, none of that stuff at the game. Actually never. 15 years season ticket holder for the Lions, I've never done that at all. So, to DeKaylin, if you're watching this man, just if you could just say that, please," Kennedy said during the press conference.
Kennedy had previously said that Metcalf was upset he used his full legal name, and in the press conference, Kennedy once again called Metcalf "DeKaylin."
“The N-Word is the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in the English language. No other word expresses so much hatred and bigotry. Falsely accusing someone of using that word hurts not only the person falsely accused, but hurts every true victim of racial hatred and bigotry," Attorney Jon Marko said in a statement.
Wednesday attorneys for Kennedy said that the suit was only filed after the player and former players refused to recant statements made when given the opportunity.
"What kind of reasonable person, let alone a white man in 2025 here in downtown Detroit would go out and shout out the n-word across a field? That doesn’t make much sense now does it? But DK metcalf exploding that does make sense," said Attorney Gasper Stare.
Kennedy says the incident and the following podcast statements have had a significant impact on his life.
"I respect the NFL, its players of all races and cultures and I would never use nor publicly shout racial slurs or threatening language," said Kennedy in the Wednesday announcement of the lawsuit. "What’s been said about me on national and international media is false and deeply hurtful. Being publicly labeled a racist based on something I did not say has caused serious damage to my family, business, reputation and has put my personal safety at risk."
When asked repeatedly by reporters what Kennedy did say before the altercation, attorneys declined giving a specific answer. Attorneys later insinuated the question helps to excuse the players behavior.
"Mr Kennedy didn’t do anything that anybody else wasn’t doing. He was cheering for his team. He was rooting for the Lions and he was booing some of the calls and plays by the Steelers," said Attorney Jonathan Marko.
"That’s like a wife abuser who says 'why did you make me beat you? Why did you make me angry?' I think that’s an absurd premise," Marko later said of the question. "Go ask Mr. Metcalf why he lost his cool on the field not against other players and play harder but against a fan?"
Marko says Detroit Police are currently investigating the alleged assault. Marko says additional evidence including sworn statements by witnesses there that day in the stadium are forthcoming.
7 News Detroit reached out to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the NFL and Shay Shay media for a statement but no one was immediately available.
