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FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio, File)
By The Canadian Press

Steelers WR DK Metcalf will not face charges for an in-game altercation with a Detroit Lions fan

May 1, 2026 | 3:42 PM

DETROIT (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will not face any charges stemming from an incident with a Detroit Lions fan during a game last December.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that it will not pursue a criminal complaint against Metcalf following an investigation into the incident between Metcalf and Ryan Kennedy.

CBS cameras caught Metcalf and Kennedy, a Lions fan wearing a blue wig and a blue and black shirt that aligned with Detroit’s colors, having an exchange along the rail in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory on Dec. 21.

Kennedy leaned over the railing during the exchange, and the blue wig fell forward to cover his face. The interaction ended with Metcalf reaching toward Kelly’s head with his right arm, though he didn’t appear to make much, if any, contact.

The NFL suspended Metcalf for the final two games of the regular season, though he did return for Pittsburgh’s first-round playoff loss to Houston.

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Officials spent months reviewing a warrant request, including going over videotape of the incident and interviewing Kennedy, security and fans who sat near Kennedy during the game.

The officials ultimately denied the warrant request, noting that Kennedy “did not appear to be injured, nor did he seek medical attention at the game.”

Mitch Schuster, an attorney for Metcalf, applauded what he described as a “just result.”

A defamation lawsuit filed by Kennedy against Metcalf is still pending.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Associated Press

by The Canadian Press

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