Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch has a reputation as a dirty player, and instances like what happened after his team’s 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football” are the reason why.
After the game ended, Branch was approached by Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who tried to shake his hand only to be met with a punch from the Lions safety.
Smith-Schuster was knocked to the ground by the strike, but he got back to his feet quickly and chased down Branch, causing a sideline-clearing brawl.
“I shouldn’t have did it, it was childish,” Branch told reporters after the game, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard.
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Branch was then asked by reporters to explain the chain of events that led to him punching Smith-Schuster, to which he replied that it was actually retaliation for what the 28-year-old WR did to him during the game.
“I got blocked in the back illegally [by Smith-Schuster], and it was in front of the ref and the ref didn’t do anything,” Branch exclaimed. “Just stuff like that. I could’ve got hurt off of that, but I still shouldn’t have done it. … There was a lot of stuff [they were doing to rub it in], but I should’ve [responded] between the whistles, not after the game, and I apologize for that.”
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For his part, Smith-Schuster maintained that there was nothing illegal about his blocking, and he admitted he was surprised Branch threw a punch his way.
“Me just blocking him, just doing my job,” he said, via Pro Football Talk. “I play between the whistles, and after the game he took advantage. … Of course you’re going to have some chatter, people are going to be talking. That’s during the game. That’s between the whistles. I know he’s a better player than that, and better person. He’ll learn from his mistakes.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell apologized to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Smith-Schuster after the game, calling Branch’s actions “inexcusable.”
“It’s not going to be accepted here,” Campbell stated. “It’s not what we do, it’s not what we’re about … That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here and it’s not going to be OK.”
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