Lions’ Brian Branch faces criticism for postgame punch
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Detroit Lions linebacker Brian Branch has made a clear statement about his “childish” behavior following Sunday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Branch punched Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after he belittled Patrick Mahomes, who walked in to shake hands. This sparked a brutal melee that ended with Smith-Schuster’s helmet being removed and players from both teams trying to separate the two.
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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell tries to remove safety tackle Brian Branch after a 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK, via Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (not pictured) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) fight after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
Branch said he was upset about being blocked from behind by Smith-Schuster in the fourth quarter.
“I did something a little childish, but I’m tired of people doing things in between plays and the referees not understanding it,” Branch said. “They’re trying to bully me out there and I shouldn’t have done that. It was childish.”
The branch also faced criticism on social media.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell also condemned Branch’s actions.
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“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and will not be accepted here. That’s not what we do. That’s not what we’re about,” Campbell said. “I apologized to coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster.
“That’s not right. That’s not what we’re doing here. It’s not going to happen okay. He knows that. Our team knows that. That’s not what we’re doing.”
Branch is likely to face at least a large fine for his actions. He was hit with a $23,186 bill for face covering and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during the Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers. He may also be suspended.
Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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Kansas City won the game 30-17.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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