Ryan Kennedy – the Detroit Lions fan who was shoved by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during an altercation at a Dec. 21 NFL game between the two teams – has filed a new lawsuit in Wayne County Court seeking $100 million in damages.
Kennedy’s lawsuit was filed on Feb. 3, according to the Detroit Free Press of the USA Today Network. The lawsuit names Metcalf, the Steelers, former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, Ford Field management and several media platforms for what he alleges is their role in making ‘defamatory and life altering statements’ about him after the incident.
Nine total counts are listed in the lawsuit. Included among those are two counts of defamation against Metcalf, Johnson, Shannon Sharpe’s company, Shay Shay Media, and one count of negligence against Ford Field.
Kennedy is also suing Metcalf for assault and battery and both the Steelers and Ford Field management for their liability in the incident.
‘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 and Metcalf’s altercation took place during the second quarter of the Detroit Lions’ Dec. 21 game against the Steelers. Metcalf was suspended two games for the incident, which saw him take a swipe at Kennedy after a brief conversation between the two.
‘He doesn’t like his government name,’ Kennedy said. ‘I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.’
But on Sharpe and Johnson’s ‘Nightcap’ podcast released Dec. 22, Johnson relayed that Metcalf told him Kennedy had used a racial slur against Metcalf and a misogynistic slur aimed at the wide receiver’s mother.
Kennedy steadfastly denied those allegations at a press conference regarding the incident on Dec. 26.
‘I guess want to be crystal clear about one thing: I didn’t use any racial slurs, no hate speech, none of that stuff at the game,’ Kennedy said. ‘Actually, never. Fifteen years as a season ticket holder for the Lions, I’ve never done that at all.’
Kennedy – who is being represented by Jon Marko – 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.’
In addition to the $100 million Kennedy is seeking in damages, he is also seeking a ‘full public retraction and correction of defamatory statements’ from Johnson and Sharpe.