Steelers' DK Metcalf suspended 2 games after swinging at Lions fan, likely voiding at least $45 million in guaranteed money
- - Steelers' DK Metcalf suspended 2 games after swinging at Lions fan, likely voiding at least $45 million in guaranteed money
Chris Cwik December 22, 2025 at 10:58 PM
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Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf was suspended for two games following a sideline altercation with a fan during the team's 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 16, the league announced Monday.
As a result, Metcalf will miss the final two games of the regular season. He is expected to appeal the suspension.
"Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which specifies that 'players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable,'" the league said in a statement, in part.
If the suspension is upheld, it will cost Metcalf $277,778 per game, or just more than $555,000 in total.
There's a bigger financial hit coming, too. The suspension will void at least $45 million in future guaranteed money over the next two years if it is upheld, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. Metcalf's current four-year, $132 million contract notes that if he "fails ... to practice or play with the Club for any reason," including a suspension, his guarantees will "be null and void." Metcalf could still earn that money over the next two seasons, it's just no longer guaranteed. Metcalf had $25 million of his salary guaranteed next season, and then $20 million guaranteed in 2027.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of the contest Sunday at Ford Field. While the Lions' offense was on the field, Metcalf approached a fan wearing a blue wig and sitting in the front row. After exchanging words with the fan, Metcalf appeared to throw a punch at the fan's head. It was unclear whether the punch connected.
While the incident was captured on the broadcast, it was not seen by officials.
DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fan pic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 21, 2025
Because of that, Metcalf was not penalized and was not ejected from the contest. He finished the game with four catches and 42 yards on nine targets.
The contest ended in dramatic fashion, as a last-second touchdown by the Lions was taken off the board due to a penalty. Officials needed to chat for multiple minutes to sort out the situation, which resulted in the Steelers winning the game.
The fan was ejected from the contest, per the Detroit Free Press. The fan claimed Metcalf threw a punch because the fan taunted the wideout with his full name, DeKaylin Zecharius.
[Get more Steelers news: Pittsburgh team feed]
On Monday, however, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that the fan used a derogatory term when taunting Metcalf about his mother. That source also claimed the fan called Metcalf, "something we both know you don't call a Black man."
Metcalf and the fan reportedly have a history, as the wideout apparently reported the fan to NFL security in 2024, when Metcalf was still a member of the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks traveled to Detroit to play the Lions in Week 4 last season.
The fan's attorney released a statement Monday calling the allegations against the fan, Ryan Kennedy, "completely false."
"Ryan Kennedy categorically denies using the "N-word," the "C-word," or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident that occurred on December 21, 2025 at Ford Field during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions game.
"These allegations are completely false."
Metcalf did not speak with reporters after the game, leaving the locker room quickly. When asked about the situation after Sunday's game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he heard about the altercation but had not seen it. At that time, Tomlin said he had not talked to Metcalf about the incident, and wasn't going to comment further.
Following the contest, the NFL said it would investigate the altercation. The league was expected to make a quick decision on the situation, leading to Monday's announcement.
The Steelers will enter Sunday's contest against the Browns with a 9-6 record. They currently hold the lead in the AFC North, which they can secure with a win over Cleveland. That would lead to the team's third straight postseason appearance. Assuming Metcalf doesn't win his appeal, he would be eligible to return for their first playoff game next month.
Source: “AOL Sports”
