By Sunday 
Deleted Clip Raises Questions About League’s Narrative Control
The Detroit Lions aren’t happy — and they’re not hiding it. A now-deleted video from NFL Films featuring safety Brian Branch has sparked outrage among Lions players and fans who say the clip unfairly targeted the young defensive star.
How a “Turning Point” Became a Flashpoint
The controversy began when NFL Films posted a segment from its “Turning Point” series meant to illustrate what triggered Branch’s frustration during the Lions’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Instead of highlighting the flow of the game, the video zeroed in on Branch — showing a string of plays where he was either beaten or hit hard. Analyst Louis Riddick provided commentary throughout the sequence, which many felt came across as harshly critical rather than analytical.
Within hours, Lions fans flooded social media calling out the video as disrespectful and unnecessary. It wasn’t long before the league stepped in to delete it altogether, admitting in a statement that the segment “felt overly critical to Brian Branch” and lacked the full context of the game.
Players Call Out the League
If the NFL thought removing the video would end the story, they were mistaken. Inside the Lions’ locker room, frustration was still brewing.
“I thought that video was crazy,” said wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, speaking to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “I don’t know why it was released, the reasoning behind it… I didn’t even know if it was real at first. I clicked the NFL account just to make sure it wasn’t a fake page.”
Defensive tackle DJ Reader took it a step further, saying the video made him question whether he could “trust the shield” — a phrase that reflects players’ faith in the league’s fairness. That kind of comment says a lot about how deep the resentment runs.
Riddick Responds — But the Damage Is Done
In the wake of the backlash, Louis Riddick issued a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that there was “no attempt to do a hit piece” on Branch or the Lions. He acknowledged, however, that he could understand how the video “could be taken as an attempt to cast the Lions or Brian Branch in a calculated, unfavorable manner.”
It was a fair explanation — but for many, the harm was already done. By the time Riddick spoke up, the perception of bias had already spread.
More Than Just a Video
This isn’t just about one player or one clip. For Detroit, it’s about perception, respect, and the feeling that the league should protect, not embarrass, its players.
Branch’s frustration at the end of the Chiefs game — which led to a punch thrown at JuJu Smith-Schuster and a one-game suspension — was already under scrutiny. The video added insult to injury, making it look like the league was piling on a player already facing discipline.
The Lions see themselves as one of the NFL’s grittiest, most unified teams. So when one of their own feels publicly singled out, they take it personally.
The Bigger Picture
In an age where sports storytelling can shape public opinion faster than a box score, context matters more than ever. The Brian Branch episode is a reminder that every frame and every edit carries weight — especially when millions are watching.
For now, the clip may be gone, but the conversation it sparked isn’t. The Lions have made it clear: they’ll defend their teammates just as fiercely off the field as they do on it.