Lions Fan Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against DK Metcalf, Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson for Branding Him a Racist

When DK Metcalf found himself suspended for the final two games of the season due to an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan, many, including his teammates, former players, Shannon Sharpe, and Chad Johnson, came to his defense.

Aaron Rodgers let it be known that even though fans pay money to come and watch athletes perform, there is a line they too should not cross, especially when it comes to what they can say to players.

The two former players took it a step further, claiming that the fan, Ryan Kennedy, used racial slurs and apparently brought in Metcalf’s mother while taking shots at the Steelers’ wideout.

When many felt that the latter’s suspension was the NFL’s way of letting players know that they cannot try to take matters into their own hands, Kennedy seems to want more.

Lions fan Ryan Kennedy has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Pittsburgh Steelers star DK Metcalf and retired NFL standouts Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe’s media company, and others.

FOX 2 Detroit revealed

Ryan Kennedy’s lawyer, Jon Marko, reiterated that they filed this defamation lawsuit after the trio of DK Metcalf and the two Nightcap co-hosts collaborated to brand his client a racist on national media.

The Lions’ fan is not just looking to punish them financially; it seems he wants the trio to issue public apologies for the harm they have caused him.

Lions fan claims he faced death threats after DK Metcalf tussle

DK Metcalf has a reputation for using his strength and competitive fire to impose his will on the field. It seems that fire led to him also losing his cool during that altercation with Ryan Kennedy.

After he seemingly grabbed onto the Lions fan’s extensions and nearly connected with his jaw, the NFL felt it was too rough an incident not to reprimand the Steelers wideout.

However, the extent of that altercation has reached other areas of the fan’s life, as his lawyer stated in the $100 million defamation lawsuit they have filed.

Marko said that the accusations spread like wildfire through the national media – damaging his reputation, leading to death threats, and impacting his mortgage company. 

FOX 2 noted

The fan and his lawyer claim that the racial slurs have no proof, as there is no video or audio available. However, they claim that Kennedy has received death threats and hate mail.

Kennedy’s attorneys have not heard anything from them despite repeated attempts to get public retractions. It seems this lawsuit has not affected either Metcalf, Sharpe, or Johnson.

Chad Johnson lets fans know he won’t have to pay a dime

Shannon Sharpe is no stranger to lawsuits, after being forced to pay millions to an OnlyFans model after he allegedly choked her. However, his Nightcap co-host, Chad Johnson, is not worried about losing any sleep over this new lawsuit.

Yeah good luck getting a dime out of me.

Johnson replied to a fan

This was the Cincinnati Bengals great’s response to a fan who tried to taunt him for being named in this $100 million lawsuit. It seems Ochocinco, as he is known affectionately, is not bothered by it and is confident he and Sharpe will not have to part with anything.

Yeah good luck getting a dime out of me 🤣 https://t.co/YYNbtOA0ig

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) February 4, 2026

Johnson and Sharpe, along with DK Metcalf, should have an army of lawyers ready to fight back, or even go to the extent of filing a countersuit, which could force Ryan Kennedy to withdraw.

Either way, this stalemate could continue to become a distraction as Metcalf and his Steelers start their next era under new head coach Mike McCarthy.

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