Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin took a firm stance in support of Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch after the latter became embroiled in a physical altercation with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during their Sunday matchup. Franklin, addressing the issue on the ‘Club 520 Podcast,’ described Branch’s actions as ‘the work of the Lord,’ asserting that the incident was a justified confrontation. He further criticized Smith-Schuster for his playing style, calling him an ‘a—–‘ and lambasting his tendency to engage in ‘weird, sneaky stuff’ during games. Franklin also made light of Smith-Schuster’s bloody nose after the fight, joking that the Chiefs’ star receiver’s reaction was inappropriate, particularly in light of his family responsibilities.
Despite Franklin’s vocal endorsement of Branch, the NFL’s decision to suspend Branch for one game was clear. The suspension, which was upheld after Branch’s appeal, has left the Lions without their star safety for their upcoming Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who publicly condemned the altercation, expressed disappointment in Branch’s actions, stating that the incident was ‘inexcusable’ and ‘not what we do’ for the team. Campbell also extended an apology to the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster, acknowledging the need for professionalism in the league. Branch, while taking responsibility for his actions, labeled the incident ‘childish’ but argued that he was reacting to perceived bullying by opponents.
The fight unfolded during a post-game moment when Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ quarterback, attempted to shake hands with Branch. Branch’s refusal to engage sparked Smith-Schuster’s intervention, leading to a scuffle that saw Branch slap Smith-Schuster across the helmet and forcibly remove his helmet during the clash. This altercation marked yet another incident of unsportsmanlike conduct for Branch, who had already been fined $23,186 for similar infractions against the Green Bay Packers earlier in the season. The NFL’s disciplinary actions and the broader implications for Branch’s career remain under scrutiny as the league continues to enforce its standards for player behavior.