Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy is seeking $100 million in damages following a confrontation with Pittsburgh Steelers receiver DK Metcalf, as he has filed a lawsuit alleging defamation and other claims after the altercation that left him being publicly branded a supposed racist—a notion he vehemently rejects, according to The Detroit News.
In a statement obtained by The Detroit News, Kennedy's attorney Jon Marko, of the Marko Law firm, declared that their intent to sue stems from what they deem as propagated falsities by DK Metcalf and others, which included former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson and various media companies, and had these statements been retracted less damage may have been done, Kennedy's reputation as a businessman and family man has been unfairly tarnished with serious implications. After a Dec. 21 game captured Metcalf appearing to physically confront Kennedy, Johnson relayed on his podcast "Nightcap" that Kennedy used a racial slur, a claim Kennedy disputes, and despite no visual or auditory evidence supporting the usage of such language, the story received extensive media coverage and social media amplification, bringing threats and hate mail Kennedy's way.
The lawsuit lists nine counts, including defamation and negligence, and involves The Pittsburgh Steelers, Ford Field management, and media companies "Shay Shay Media" and "The Volume," with Kennedy alleging that the accusations caused lifelong damage to his reputation and his business, which his attorney declined to name to avoid further harm, noted The Detroit News. In a press conference, Kennedy stated his respect for the NFL and all its fans, underscoring the values that run counter to the accusations against him.
Kennedy, who also is the CEO of a mortgage company, said that neither video nor audio support the allegations against him and that the case is centered around clearing his name, as documented by ClickOnDetroit; additionally, his attorneys have sent formal retraction demands to the defendants, yet none have retracted their statements, allowing the spread of the narrative to continue unabated, causing harm to Kennedy's personal and professional life, Kennedy hopes to restore his reputation and find some solace in accountability through the legal action.
A statement provided to FOX 2 Detroit emphasized the spread of the false accusations across major media outlets, leading to severe professional and personal repercussions for Kennedy. As the case proceeds, Marko Law plans to depose various individuals involved, including Metcalf, Johnson, and others, to discern under oath the truth of what was said and what was not said during the distressing incident at Ford Field.
