Louis Riddick has finally broken his silence — but Detroit Lions fans aren’t exactly feeling satisfied.
After an NFL Films video featuring Riddick appeared to mock Lions safety Brian Branch went viral (and was quickly deleted), the ESPN analyst addressed the growing backlash. In a statement, Riddick insisted that his comments were “taken out of context” and that he never meant to disrespect Branch or the Lions organization.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for Brian Branch and the way that Detroit plays football,” Riddick said. “The clip circulating online didn’t reflect what I was trying to say.”
While his clarification was meant to calm things down, it did the opposite. Many fans felt his statement dodged responsibility and fell short of a real apology. Social media lit up with reactions, with one fan writing, “You could’ve just said sorry — that’s all we wanted.”
The Lions locker room hasn’t commented publicly, but insiders say players and coaches were “not happy” about the video, which portrayed Branch unfairly. The rookie safety has quickly become a fan favorite for his intensity and grit — two things Detroit fans don’t take lightly.
The NFL has since admitted the video didn’t meet its standards and removed it, but for many in Detroit, the damage was already done. Riddick may have spoken up, but the Motor City faithful aren’t forgetting anytime soon.
Louis Riddick Finally Speaks Out on Controversial Brian Branch Video — Fans Not Buying It
