Detroit Lions

12:18 PM -- Ryan Kennedy is coming out against the claims he reportedly used a slur towards Metcalf during Sunday's game -- with his attorney issuing a statement Monday afternoon -- denying those allegations.

"At no point before, during, or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slur or hate speech of any kind," a statement provided to TMZ Sports said. "The claims suggesting otherwise are untrue and are not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts, or any contemporaneous reporting."

"Despite reports in the media last night and today, Mr. Kennedy has not used such language during any interaction with Mr. Metcalf or any other players in the past."

The statement concluded by saying that, since "this matter will now likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings, Mr. Kennedy will not comment further at this time."

The Detroit Lions fan on the receiving end of a punch from Pittsburgh Steelers star DK Metcalf is speaking out ... insisting he simply called the player by his full name before the incident -- but DK is reportedly claiming something much worse was said.

The Detroit Free Press found the man in the stands after everything went down on Sunday ... and he told the outlet he was "a little shocked" by what happened.

"He doesn't like his government name. 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."

Is Matthew Stafford a Hall of Famer?? If you ask his favorite target in Detroit, Calvin Johnson, we will absolutely see the quarterback in Canton one day ... but he tells TMZ Sports an MVP trophy on his résumé solidifies his chances.

We spoke with Johnson amid one of Stafford's best seasons ... and he said the game "looks easy to him right now."

"He's playing good football. He has some great receivers around him. Seems like the offensive line is doing a great job as well."

Calvin Johnson says it's NOT time to panic in Detroit -- even after losing on Thanksgiving, and sitting outside the NFL playoff picture -- 'cause there's plenty of football left to play!

The Lions, who breezed into postseason action last season with a 15-2 record, haven't been nearly as dominant in 2025, losing two of three, including Thursday's Turkey Day game against their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

The 31-24 loss means the Lions don't control their destiny with the division, but they're still very much in the playoff hunt, according to Calvin.

Talk about shocking the system -- two of Detroit’s biggest legends collided when Eminem crashed Jack White’s stage during the NFL’s Thanksgiving Halftime Show at the Lions’ annual Turkey Day Classic.

Jack was the only one officially on the bill -- tearing into “Seven Nation Army,” the forever stadium anthem at Ford Field -- before he shocked the crowd by bringing out fellow Detroit legend Eminem for a surprise cameo.

Eminem hit the stage in full Detroit armor -- hoodie up and rocking a custom Lions jacket -- and launched into a wild mashup of "Till I Collapse" with the White Stripes’ "Hello Operator."

The Detroit Lions are hours away from playing in their annual Thanksgiving game, and those in attendance better be hungry ... 'cause TMZ Sports got a look at the offerings that will be on tap -- and they look just as good as grandma's cookin'!!

Levy Restaurants -- the official food and beverage provider of the Lions -- shared what their chefs have been cooking in the kitchen ahead of kickoff.

It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving feast without some bird ... so turkey legs will be on the menu, served with cornbread dressing and cranberry BBQ sauce.

Amon-Ra St. Brown isn't going as far as apologizing, but the Lions star receiver is explaining himself ... after some fans were pissed he hit the Trump Dance after scoring a TD during the Commanders game!

St. Brown addressed the celebration on his "St. Brown" podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Equanimeous, saying his goal was definitely not to offend anyone.

"If any President was at that game, if they had a dance, I would have done it," Amon-Ra said. "It had nothing to do with who the President was."

He continued ... "We were just having fun. Doing the dance, nothing more, nothing less. Just a quick shimmy, whatever you call it."

Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten is denying he had a role in a spectator's decision to storm the field during Sunday's game against the Commanders ... saying he didn't utter a single word to the guy all night.

Video of the fan's stunt made rounds on social media ... and some folks claimed an interaction with Hatten caused the whole thing.

Hatten went to social media on Monday to explain that couldn't be further from the truth ... calling the claims "inaccurate."

Amon-Ra St. Brown is known for his touchdown celebrations, and Sunday was no exception ... breaking out the infamous "Trump Dance" after scoring a touchdown -- all while the president was watching from the stands!

The moment went down from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, where President Donald Trump was taking in the Lions vs. Commanders game.

After the Lions' leading receiver scored his ninth touchdown on the season --  which extended the Lions' lead to 14-3 -- St. Brown began looking around the stadium for DJT, before hitting the dance!

Move over, Lamar Jackson ... Jeff Hardy has a new favorite NFL player now -- thanks to Jahmyr Gibbs' Halloween costume tribute!!

We chopped it up with one-half of Team Extreme after Gibbs went viral for his 'fit at the Detroit Lions' holiday party this week ... and his efforts are being acknowledged by the man himself!!

"My mind was blown," Hardy said of the costume. "Lamar Jackson used to be my favorite NFL football player, so now I've got a new one."

The NFL isn't messing around this Halloween season ... with teams hosting extravagant parties left and right -- and the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles were no exception.

Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown gave his followers a look at a bunch of outfits his teammates rocked for their bash Tuesday night ... and they ranged from basic 'fits to some pretty creative ones.

Jahmyr Gibbs dressed up as one half of Team Extreme -- Jeff Hardy, who actually just lost his NXT Tag Team Titles with his brother Matt last weekend. Nevertheless, he proudly got into character.

3:15 PM PT -- Brian Branch is reportedly appealing the suspension.

Brian Branch has just been suspended for starting that wild brawl after the Chiefs vs. Lions game on Sunday night.

The league announced on Monday it was banning the Detroit star for one contest without pay ... calling his actions, "aggressive" and "entirely unwarranted."

It's not yet clear if Branch has plans to appeal, though the NFL stated it is an option on the table for the 23-year-old.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce celebrated the Chiefs' big win on Sunday night ... by hitting the town with some buds!

The world's most famous couple cruised to Prime Social in Kansas City just after the Chiefs beat up the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium ... and they seemed to have a blast.

Swift enjoyed at least one cocktail with a few gal pals ... while Kelce posed for some pics with his teammate, Kareem Hunt, and some of their close friends.

Dan Campbell took Brian Branch to task on Sunday night ... ripping his star player for igniting a brawl following Detroit's loss to the Chiefs.

The wild incident occurred just seconds after the Lions fell to Kansas City, 30-17, on Sunday night ... when Branch hit JuJu Smith-Schuster in the mouth for the way he blocked him earlier in the game.

The smack started a melee -- with multiple players from both sides jumping in to try to break things up.

Jason Kelce was once a finalist for the "Sexiest Man Alive" ... but did you know he's got some major sax appeal too?!?

The Philadelphia Eagles legend joined the Baltimore Ravens' famous marching band on Monday night ... and he showed he's got the skills to delight thousands with a saxophone.

The former NFL center was front and center in the band as he did a bit for his gig as an ESPN "Monday Night Football" analyst ... and he looked like he knew what he was doing as he belted out the "MNF" theme song.

Jared Goff's family has officially grown by one ... his wife, Christen, just gave birth to their first child!!!

The couple announced the amazing news on Tuesday on their Instagram pages ... revealing their new daughter's name is Romy Isabelle Goff.

The duo included a bunch of pictures of the two with their little bundle of joy ... and they both looked like they couldn't have been happier to be new parents.

In fact, in one of the snaps, Jared already had a cap on that read, "Girl Dad."