By Blessing 
Lions HC Dan Campbell Fires Strong Statement on Brian Branch’s ‘Inexcusable’ Act
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t hold back after Sunday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, publicly calling out safety Brian Branch for his behavior following the game.
During postgame handshakes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended a hand to Branch, but the Lions defender declined. Moments later, JuJu Smith-Schuster approached Branch to offer a handshake of his own. Instead of accepting, Branch slapped Smith-Schuster to the ground, sparking tension between the two teams. Players quickly stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown brawl.
After the altercation, Campbell addressed the incident during his postgame remarks, as shared by Woodward Sports Network. The Lions’ coach made it clear that Branch’s actions do not reflect the standards of the Detroit organization.
> “I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here. It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about. I apologize to coach Reid and the Chiefs and Schuster. That’s not okay. That’s not what we do here, and it’s not going to be okay. He knows that. Our team knows it,” Campbell said.
The coach’s words reflected both frustration and accountability, sending a strong message to his team about discipline and sportsmanship. Campbell’s comments also demonstrated respect toward the Chiefs’ staff and players, acknowledging that Branch’s conduct was out of line.
While the Lions’ organization has yet to announce any formal punishment, Campbell’s statement hints that internal consequences could follow soon. The team’s leadership appears intent on addressing the situation swiftly to maintain the locker room’s culture and standards.
How the Lions Fared Against the Chiefs
Beyond the postgame drama, the Lions struggled to find rhythm in their 30-17 defeat to Kansas City. Despite keeping it close through the first half, Detroit faltered in the final two quarters as the Chiefs outscored them 17-7 down the stretch.
Jared Goff delivered an accurate outing, completing 23 of 29 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. However, he received little support from the ground game. Jahmyr Gibbs managed 17 carries for 65 yards but couldn’t find the end zone, while David Montgomery added 24 rushing yards and two catches for 37 yards.
In the passing game, Jameson Williams led all receivers with six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Sam LaPorta followed with five receptions for 45 yards and a score, while Amon-Ra St. Brown contributed nine catches for 45 yards.
With the defeat, Detroit falls to 4-2 on the season and will look to regroup at home next week. The Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 20 at 7 p.m. ET, hoping to bounce back and restore their momentum.