DETROIT – Lions fan Ryan Kennedy has filed a defamation lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court against Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, NFL legend Chad Ochocinco Johnson, and several media companies.
The suit follows false accusations that Kennedy used racial and derogatory slurs during a Dec. 21, 2025, incident at Ford Field.
“Ryan Kennedy is not a racist. He’s not a criminal. He’s a victim,” said Jon Marko, a civil rights attorney representing Kennedy.
Kennedy, a season-ticket holder, claims he was physically assaulted by Metcalf during the Lions vs. Steelers game.
Previous coverage -- Detroit Lions fan denies using racial slurs in altercation with Steelers’ DK Metcalf at Ford Field
The lawsuit alleges that Johnson, on the popular “Nightcap” podcast co-hosted by Shannon Sharpe, falsely accused Kennedy of calling Metcalf the “N-word” and using a misogynistic slur against Metcalf’s mother.
Kennedy denies these claims, and no video or audio evidence supports the allegations.
“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 but my personal safety at risk,” Kennedy said. “I filed this lawsuit not out of anger but out of the need to restore the truth and accountability.”
Despite the lack of proof, the false...
NEW YORK, NY — A series of artificial intelligence–generated images falsely portraying Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child alongside his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, with convicted sex offender and fin...