Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been suspended for one game without pay by the NFL following a postgame fight with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The incident occurred after the Lions fell to the Chiefs, 30-17, on Sunday night.
The NFL announced the suspension, with Jon Runyan, the league’s vice president of football operations, stating in a letter to Branch that his actions were entirely unwarranted and posed a serious risk of injury. Runyan emphasized that Branch’s conduct violated the NFL’s standards of sportsmanship and reflected poorly on the league.
Branch is expected to appeal the decision, according to NFL Network. The suspension means he will miss the Lions’ Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. The altercation began when Patrick Mahomes attempted to high-five Branch, but the latter ignored the gesture and approached Smith-Schuster, leading to a confrontation.
Smith-Schuster and Branch exchanged words before Branch slapped the Chiefs’ receiver across the helmet. Smith-Schuster went to the ground but quickly returned to charge at Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to intervene, but Branch tore off Smith-Schuster’s helmet, escalating the situation. Players from both teams became involved in the scrum before coaches and officials managed to de-escalate the situation.
Branch later expressed regret for his actions, calling it a childish decision. He stated,