Brian Branch Addresses Sunday Night Football Altercation with JuJu Smith-Schuster

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch confronted Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during a heated moment on Sunday Night Football, igniting a brawl that involved players and staff from both teams.

The incident unfolded after the Chiefs secured a 30-17 victory at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12. Branch, 23, struck Smith-Schuster, 28, across the facemask, prompting chaos near midfield as players rushed to join the fray.

In the aftermath, Branch reflected on the altercation, claiming he felt provoked by an uncalled block from Smith-Schuster late in the game. “I could’ve got hurt off of that play,” he stated, acknowledging his actions were inappropriate. “I still shouldn’t have done that.”

Branch characterized his response as “childish,” expressing frustration over what he perceived as ongoing bullying on the field. “It was childish,” he reiterated. “I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don’t catch it.”

Smith-Schuster countered Branch’s narrative, asserting he was merely executing his role. “I’m just doing my job,” he remarked, emphasizing that his focus remains on playing within the rules. “I play between the whistles.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell found himself in the thick of the post-game tension, even exchanging words with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He condemned Branch’s actions, stating, “What he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here.” Campbell expressed regret to Coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs for the incident, reinforcing that such behavior does not align with the team’s values.

Veteran defensive end D.J. Reader indicated he would address Branch’s conduct in the coming days. “We’ll have that conversation,” Reader said, acknowledging the difficulty of discussing it immediately after the game. He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure for both team dynamics and personal well-being.

Mahomes echoed Smith-Schuster’s sentiments during his postgame interview, reiterating the importance of playing within the confines of the game. “We play the game in between the whistles,” he stated, dismissing any extracurricular activities as irrelevant to their performance.

In a later press conference, Mahomes highlighted the physical nature of their opponents, asserting that the Chiefs are prepared to match any intensity on the field. “That’s a physical team,” he noted. “We’re not afraid to go up against anybody.”