As the NFL investigates the altercation between Pittsburgh Steelers receiver DK Metcalf and a Detroit Lions fan during Sunday’s game in Detroit, reports are gradually beginning to allow some detail to emerge surrounding the situation.

According to the NFL Network, Metcalf and the fan — identified by the Detroit Free Press as Ryan Kennedy from Pinckney, Mich. — had an interaction during a game at Ford Field last season.

Metcalf “reported the same fan to Seahawks security last season while playing for Seattle.” An offseason trade acquisition from Seattle, Metcalf and the Seahawks played at the Lions on Sept. 30, 2024 — a 42-29 Lions win in which Metcalf had seven catches for 104 yards.

During the second quarter of Sunday’s 29-24 Steelers win, Metcalf and the fan had an altercation in which Metcalf appeared to grab the fan by his shirt and shove upward at him as the fan bent over a railing atop a wall of about 8 feet behind the Steelers’ bench at Ford Field.

Early Monday morning, a pair for former NFL stars — ex-Steelers linebacker James Harrison and ex-Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco — relayed on their respective podcasts that Kennedy used a racial slur directed toward Metcalf.

Harrison said so while on the “Deebo & Joe” show he co-hosts with former Steelers teammate Joe Haden.

Ochocinco addressed the situation on a video podcast he hosts with former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe.

“I got word,” Ochocinco said on the “Nightcap” show, “(and) obviously I am not condoning putting your hands on a fan or touching a fan, but (the fan) did call (Metcalf) a racial slur — he did call him the N-word — and he did call his mom a (expletive).”

While Harrison said he spoke directly to Metcalf, Ochocinco did not give any detail on his source or where he acquired the information.

A statement released by a Michigan law firm representing Kennedy called Ochocinco’s allegations “completely false.”

“At no point before, during, or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind,” read the statement released by Head Murphy Law to TribLive and other outlets. “The claims suggesting otherwise are untrue and are not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts, or any contemporaneous reporting.”

The statement suggests Kennedy will be taking legal action.

“Mr. Kennedy is a lifelong Detroit Lions football fan who attended the game lawfully and never anticipated becoming the subject of national attention, much less false accusations of racism. He respects the game, the players, and fellow fans — and he rejects hate and discrimination in all forms.”

After the game Sunday, Metcalf quickly left the Steelers locker room before media was allowed to enter it. He did not speak publicly, and coach Mike Tomlin did not provide any substantive detail about the incident.

Ochocinco — formerly known as Chad Johnson — played 11 NFL seasons, the first 10 of which with the Cincinnati Bengals. He keeps a regular media presence, and at various times has made Metcalf a topic of conversation on “Nightcap.”

“I think with those (bad) words being exchanged and the fan saying that,” Ochocinco said, “I think that’s where the action occurred where … he threw a punch.

“He called him the N-word and called (his mother) the C-word — that’s a bad combination, and it caused DK to react.”

Kennedy told The Free Press that Metcalf was irked when he referred to Metcalf by his given name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.

“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.”

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Metcalf has been listed on rosters as “DK” since he was a star in college, but he told Steelers Audio Network play-by-play announcer Rob King that he prefers “DeKaylin” but understands many do not pronounce it correctly so he instead goes by “DK.”

The NFL acknowledged to TribLive that it is investigating the matter. Metcalf, the Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver, signed a five-year, $150 million contract after the trade from Seattle in March.

A league spokesman did not immediately respond to a request from TribLive regarding if the NFL has interviewed Metcalf or the fan — or anyone else from the Steelers or fans in the area of the interaction.

Though he was not flagged for the incident by on-field officials, Metcalf could be subject to a significant fine or even suspension from the NFL.

The team said Tomlin will provide the lone public words on behalf of the organization, and his weekly news conference is scheduled for noon Tuesday.