Brian Branch, Lions Safety, Suspended for Fight: NFL Applies Punishment

Brian Branch, suspended for one game after incident in Chiefs vs. Lions

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been suspended for one game without pay due to unsportsmanlike conduct during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. The incident involved Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and sparked a brief altercation on the field.

“Your aggressive and non-football related act was completely unjustified, represented a serious risk of injury and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” wrote NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations, Jon Runyan, in a letter to Branch.

Jon Runyan, NFL Vice President of Football Operations

Branch plans to appeal the suspension, according to a source. Suspension means Branch will miss the Lions’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday, being able to return to the active roster the following day. After Detroit’s 30-17 loss in Kansas City on Sunday night, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted to high-five Branch near midfield. Branch ignored Mahomes, prompting a reaction from Smith-Schuster. Branch responded by hitting Smith-Schuster in his facemask, sending him to the ground. Smith-Schuster got up and went after Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to intervene, but Branch managed to remove Smith-Schuster’s helmet as several players from both teams joined the fight.

Finally, the coaches and players separated the parties, and left the field.

“It was childish, but I’m tired of people doing things between plays and the referees not seeing it,” Branch said after the game. “They try to intimidate me. I shouldn’t have done it. It was childish.”

Brian Branch

Branch was also fined $23,186 for face mask penalties and unsportsmanlike conduct against the Green Bay Packers last month.