Detroit Lions safety may be disciplined after slapping Chiefs wide receiver following Sunday’s matchup
The NFL is reviewing an on-field incident involving Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, which took place moments after Sunday night’s game ended. What began as a routine postgame handshake line quickly turned into a heated confrontation — and now, Branch could be facing a fine or even a suspension.
The Incident: What Happened on the Field
According to reports and viral video clips from the game, tensions boiled over just after the final whistle. As players exchanged handshakes near midfield, Branch appeared to strike Smith-Schuster across the face, knocking his helmet slightly backward. Smith-Schuster reacted immediately, chasing Branch before the two were separated by teammates and officials.
Witnesses say Branch seemed upset about a play earlier in the game, where he claimed Smith-Schuster made an illegal block that wasn’t called by the referees. In the locker room afterward, the Lions safety told reporters that his emotions got the better of him. “I was frustrated and reacted in a way I shouldn’t have,” Branch said. “That’s on me.”
Team Response
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t mince words when addressing the media. “What Brian did was unacceptable,” Campbell said. “He knows it, and we’ll handle it internally. We respect the game and our opponents, and that kind of behavior doesn’t represent who we are as a team.”
The Chiefs organization has not yet commented publicly, though Smith-Schuster was seen speaking with league officials after the game. Sources close to the team say the receiver was “shaken but uninjured.”
Former NFL Player Arthur Jones Dies at 39
NFL Rules on Postgame Conduct
Under the NFL’s personal conduct and game operations policy, physical contact after the game can lead to fines and suspensions.
- First-time fighting offenses often result in fines exceeding $35,000.
- More serious cases, particularly when a punch or slap is involved, may lead to a one- or two-game suspension.
- Previous cases, such as the 2021 suspension of Dallas Cowboys lineman Trysten Hill for postgame aggression, suggest that the league takes such incidents seriously.
The NFL’s disciplinary office reviews all game footage before announcing any punishment. An official decision is expected within the week.
What’s Next for Brian Branch
If suspended, Branch would be the second Lions defensive player this season to face disciplinary action for on-field behavior. He has already accumulated several fines in recent games for unnecessary roughness. Analysts believe the league will make an example out of this latest altercation, given that it occurred after the whistle and was caught on national television.
Despite the controversy, Branch remains one of Detroit’s most promising young defenders. Many fans have urged the NFL to issue only a fine, arguing that his actions were “out of frustration” rather than intent to harm. Still, the league’s zero-tolerance stance toward violence after the game makes a suspension seem likely.
NFL News
The Brian Branch–JuJu Smith-Schuster incident serves as a reminder of how quickly emotions can flare in high-stakes matchups. Both players are expected to move on, but the NFL’s response will send an important message about maintaining sportsmanship beyond the final whistle.