Things got real chippy between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs — and now, one of Detroit’s hardest hitters is paying the price. The NFL has officially suspended Lions safety Brian Branch for one game after he was caught on camera punching Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during a post-game altercation.
It all went down moments after the final whistle in what was already a fiery matchup between two of the league’s most physical teams. Emotions boiled over as players jawed at midfield, and Branch, never one to back down from a challenge, reportedly threw a punch that connected with Smith-Schuster before teammates and officials stepped in to separate the chaos.
The NFL called Branch’s actions “unacceptable conduct” and announced the suspension late Sunday night. The young safety, who’s been a spark plug for Detroit’s secondary this season, will now miss next week’s game, leaving a noticeable hole in the Lions’ defensive lineup.
Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t shy away from addressing the situation, telling reporters that the team preaches “controlled aggression” — something Branch will have to learn the hard way. “He’s got to be smarter,” Campbell said. “We play with passion, but there’s a line.”
Branch’s suspension comes at a tough time for the Lions, who are already dealing with injuries in the secondary. Fans are split down the middle — some say Branch was just standing up for his teammates after a cheap shot, while others believe he hurt the team more than he helped.
Either way, the league has spoken. Branch will sit out one game, the Lions will regroup, and you can bet this won’t be the last time Detroit’s intensity makes headlines.
Brian Branch Suspended 1 Game for Punching Chiefs’ JuJu Smith-Schuster After Heated Clash
