The Detroit Lions fan who was involved in a viral sideline clash with DK Metcalf earlier this season is demanding a $100million payout in court.
On December 21, CBS cameras caught Metcalf jawing with Lions fan Ryan Kennedy during their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers receiver then grabbed Kennedy by his shirt collar and punched at his face. Metcalf only made minimal contact, if any, with his swing.
Reports later claimed that Kennedy had used racial slurs to provoke Metcalf, however there was no evidence to substantiate these claims.
A day later, former NFL star Chad Johnson alleged on his ‘Nightcap’ podcast with Shannon Sharpe that Metcalf told him Kennedy racially abused him.
Johnson reported that Kennedy fired racial slurs at Metcalf – including the n-word – and said a derogatory remark about his mom.
DK Metcalf appeared to take a swing at Lions fan Ryan Kennedy during their game on Dec 21st
Kennedy was accused of saying racist remarks towards the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
On Tuesday, Kennedy filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Court demanding a staggering $100m in compensation.
He named Metcalf, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ford Field Management LLC, Johnson, Shay Shay Media LLC and All Time Sports LLC.
Kennedy alleges Johnson spread ‘several false, reckless and defamatory statements’ about him and how the incident unfolded.
In a statement to TMZ, Kennedy’s attorney Jon Marko said: ‘The N-word is the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in the English language. No other word expresses so much hatred and bigotry.
‘Falsely accusing someone of using that word hurts not only the person falsely accused, but hurts every victim of racial hatred and bigotry.’
Daily Mail has contacted the Steelers, Lions and representatives for Metcalf, Johnson and Sharpe for comment.
In the days that followed the incident in December, Kennedy held a press conference with his lawyers – denying those claims which spread on social media.
‘Being falsely branded as a racist is one of the most damaging accusations that a private citizen can endure,’ Kennedy’s lawyer, Shawn Head, said as the fan sat beside him wearing a backwards Lions hat.
Kennedy alleges Chad Johnson spread ‘several false, reckless and defamatory statements’ about him and how the incident unfolded on his podcast
Lions fan Ryan Kennedy denied using racial slurs in his altercation with DK Metcalf
‘It’s dangerous and causes very real consequences and very real damage.’
Kennedy added: ‘I 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.’
The lawsuit also claims that Kennedy ‘suffered extensive economic and non-economic damages’ after the podcast.
‘Defendants have failed to issue any public retractions or corrections acknowledging that Plaintiff Kennedy never used racial slurs or hate speech,’ according to the lawsuit.
‘Defendant Metcalf, despite being the alleged source of the false and reckless statements, has refused to issue any public statement clarifying that Plaintiff Kennedy did not use racial slurs, thereby perpetuating the defamatory statements.’
