DETROIT (WWJ) -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DeKaylin "DK" Metcalf will not face charges for an incident with a fan that turned physical at Detroit's Ford Field last season.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that it is denying a warrant request after reviewing video footage and interviewing witnesses.
The incident happened during the December 21, 2025, game versus the Lions.
According to prosecutors, a 45-year-old Lions fan who was seated in the stands behind the Steelers' bench had allegedly been heckling Metcalf, 28 .
Prosecutors described what happened next this way:
"At approximately 5:30 p.m., it is alleged that the fan left his seat holding a Metcalf’s jersey to get an autograph. As he approached the front railing of the stands, he said something to Mr. Metcalf. As Mr. Metcalf approached the stands, there was a brief interaction where Mr. Metcalf grabbed his shirt and pushed him back."
WWJ's Jeremy Otto reports video footage shows some words were exchanged, and that Metcalf did appear to "take a swipe at the fan."
Prosecutions said the fan did not appear to be injured, and did not seek medical attention at the game.
After an "extensive review" of the evidence, the prosecutor’s office said it determined that charges will not issue in this case.
Attorney Jon Marko, of Marko Law, represents the fan in a civil lawsuit filed against Metcalf in February.
On the phone with Otto, he called Worthy's announcement "a nothing burger," that means absolutely nothing for the civil case.
"The Wayne County Prosecutor makes criminal charging decisions based on a whole host of factors, some of which have really nothing to do with whether a crime was committed," Marko said. "Such as whether they have the ability to devote time and resources to prosecuting the crime."
"In this case," Marko said, "you know, they have a lot of felonies, they have a lot of homicides that they're prosecuting. This is a simple assault and battery case involving a very high-profile individual. It's gonna cost a lot of money in order to litigate that case, a lot of time and a lot of resources that, frankly, they just don't have."
The civil suit is seeking seeking over $100 million in damages.
