All it took to get Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf fired up at a fan apparently were three small words — his full name.
The Lions fan involved in the brief altercation during Sunday’s game told the Detroit Free Press that he called the star receiver by his full name — DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf – leading to the dustup.
“A little shocked,” the fan, who identified himself as Ryan Kennedy, said in the interview with the outlet. “Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
Kennedy initially told the Free Press that his name was the “Biggest Detroit Lions Fan Ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.”
Kennedy said that during the incident, which was caught on camera by CBS and went viral on social media, his shirt was ripped. He also appeared to be hit in the face as the NFLer swung at him.
“He doesn’t like his government name,” Kennedy said. “I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt.”
Tracy Wolfson, a sideline reporter for CBS, commented on the incident during the broadcast, trying to provide background to the situation.
“He came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey, he went over and the fan said something to him,” Wolfson said on the broadcast. “Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything, we’ll see if the league takes action, guys.”
“That’s not going to have great consequences for the Steelers or for Metcalf,” announcer Jim Nantz said on the NFL on CBS broadcast.
“Oh my gosh,” analyst and former quarterback Tony Romo added.
Was racism involved?
Former NFL star receiver Chad Johnson shared that there was more to what was said by the fan.
During his Nightcap podcast on Sunday, Johnson claimed to that a racist remark was made and that the fan had insulted Metcalf’s mother.
“Obviously I am not condoning putting your hands on a fan or punching the fan but he did call him a racial slur, called him the n-word and he did call his mom a c***,” Johnson said.
“I think with those words being exchanged and the fan saying that, I think that’s where the action occurred that he, I think he threw a punch I am not sure if he connected or whatever. But he did call him the n-word and he did call his mom a c*** … That’s a bad combination and it caused DK to react.”
Kennedy has since denied any allegations of racism, issuing a strong statement on Monday afternoon.
Kennedy “categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based language during the incident,” according to a statement released by a Michigan law firm.
“These allegations are completely false,” the statement released by Sean Head and Sean Murphy of Head Murphy Law Firm reads.
What the league said
Neither Metcalf nor Kennedy were ejected from the game, with the league telling the Free Press that because the altercation didn’t draw a flag from an official, the league couldn’t step in at the time.
“There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the NFL said in the statement.
Metcalf didn’t speak to reporters post-game and has yet to comment on the incident.
“I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, via The Associated Press. “I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk to DK and so I have no comment.”
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the league “will review this altercation for potential discipline.”
Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler, had a quiet game by his own standards with four receptions on nine targets for 42 yards in the Steelers’ crucial 29-24 victory.
Pittsburgh’s win puts it in the driver’s seat to win the AFC North division title after the Baltimore Ravens lost on Sunday night against the New England Patriots.
Detroit’s record fell to 8-7 and the Lions will now have a tough path to reach the playoffs, sitting third in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.