By Blessing 
Brian Branch Reveals Why He Slapped JuJu Smith-Schuster Following Lions Loss to Chiefs
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has taken full responsibility for his part in Sunday night’s postgame altercation with Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster — an incident that went viral moments after Detroit’s tough 30-17 loss.
After the game, Branch admitted that his emotions got the best of him when tensions boiled over.
> “I did a little childish thing,” a clearly dejected Branch said. “But I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the play, and the refs don’t catch it. They be trying to bully me out there. I shouldn’t have did it, it was childish.”
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Branch Explains What Set Him Off
Branch later explained that the situation started earlier in the game when Smith-Schuster blocked him in the back, something the young safety thought was both dangerous and ignored by the officials.
Feeling targeted throughout the night, Branch admitted that his reaction — slapping Smith-Schuster after the final whistle — was not the right way to respond.
> “I got blocked in the back illegally, and the ref didn’t do anything. I could have got hurt off of that. But I still should not have done that. I should’ve showed it between the whistle, not after the game, and I apologize for that,” Branch added.
The 22-year-old’s accountability echoed the same message Head Coach Dan Campbell emphasized in his postgame remarks — that emotion should never cross the line into misconduct.
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Possible Consequences Looming
Branch’s emotional outburst comes at a tough time for Detroit’s secondary, which is already depleted by injuries. Safety Kerby Joseph continues to manage a lingering knee issue, while Avonte Maddox and Terrion Arnold remain sidelined.
If the NFL decides to fine or suspend Branch, it could leave the Lions dangerously thin heading into next week’s matchup against the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a key game with playoff implications. Facing quarterback Baker Mayfield and one of the NFC’s most efficient passing attacks, Detroit can’t afford to lose another starter.
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A Moment to Learn From
Branch’s intensity is what makes him such a valuable defender, but this moment reminded him — and the team — of the need for control under pressure. Despite the backlash, he showed maturity by quickly owning up to his mistake.
As the Lions refocus for Tampa Bay, Branch’s next step will be proving that this was simply a brief lapse in jud
gment, not a reflection of his character.