Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was slapped by Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch as time expired in the Chiefs’ 30-17 win on Sunday.
Branch ignored Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who tired to give the star Lions nickel cornerback a handshake. After that, he walked up to Smith-Schuster and proceeded to slap his helmet. An altercation would ensue from there that would see Smith-Schuster and Branch tussle amongst the crowd on the field postgame.
Smith-Schuster left the field with a towel around his nose. Branch said after the game that Smith-Schsuter blocked him in the back late in the game, and he felt the wide receiver was trying to ‘bully him.’
“I did a little childish thing,” Branch said. “But I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the plays and the refs don’t catch it, trying to bully me out there. But I should’ve never did it. It was childish.”
After the game, Smith-Schuster said that it was about a ‘team win’ more than anything. He held no ill will against Branch.
Meanwhile, Lions head coach Dan Campbell condemned Branch’s actions. The NFL is currently reviewing footage and will reveal any disciplinary action.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Campbell said. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Branch did ‘pretty good damage’ to Smith-Schuster’s nose during the melee.
“At the end of the game, I expected to shake his hand and say, ‘Good game.’ But he thew a punch,” Smith-Schuster said.
Branch could not have been called for a penalty since it was after the game. Surely, a hefty fine will come down, but it would not be surprising if the NFL ultimately decided to suspend Branch for throwing a punch.
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