Fan pushed by DK Metcalf at Lions game names Ford Field in lawsuit

Michigan resident and Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy filed a new lawsuit in Wayne County Court on Tuesday, Feb. 3, related to his Dec. 21 incident with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf at Ford Field in Detroit. He is seeking $100 million in damages.

Kennedy is suing Metcalf, the Steelers, former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, Ford Field management and other media platforms for what he alleges is their role in making "defamatory and life altering statements" against him following the incident. The lawsuit lists nine total counts, including two counts of defamation against Metcalf, Johnson, Shannon Sharpe's company, Shay Shay Media, and one count of negligence against Ford Field, among others.

Kennedy initially made headlines when Metcalf took a swing at him in the second quarter of the Detroit Lions' Dec. 21 game against the Steelers, for which the NFL suspended Metcalf for two games. On Sharpe and Johnson's "Nightcap" podcast released the following day, Johnson said that Metcalf told him Kennedy used a racial slur against Metcalf and another slur aimed at Metcalf's mother, something that Kennedy denied in a press conference on Dec. 26.

Kennedy is being represented by Jon Mark of Detroit's Marko Law. Through his lawyers, Kennedy continues to deny that allegation in the lawsuit.

"The statements were false and reckless," the lawsuit reads. "Plaintiff Kennedy did not call Defendant Metcalf the 'N-word'; did not call Defendant Metcalf mother a 'c---'; and did not ever use any racial slurs or hate speech whatsoever ... Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy."

Kennedy is also suing Metcalf for assault and battery and the Steelers for their liability in the incident. Most notably for Lions fans, Kennedy is also suing Ford Field management for liability.

"Defendant Ford Field Management, LLC breached its duty by failing to establish or enforce adequate barriers, protocols, or security measures to prevent players from reaching into the stands and making physical contact with patrons," the lawsuit reads.

Kennedy is seeking $100 million and a "full public retraction and correction of defamatory statements" from Johnson and Sharpe.

The Lions did not immediately respond to a request for comment

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions fan Kennedy suing Shannon Sharpe and Ford Field for DK Metcalf incident