(AP/WXYZ) — Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch has been suspended for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct following Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The suspension is without pay. It's unclear if Branch will appeal the decision.
After the game, Branch was seen throwing a punch at Schuster-Smith. It stemmed from Patrick Mahomes attempting to high-five Branch near midfield and Branch walking past Mahomes.
“I did a little childish thing,” Branch said, “but I'm tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don't catch it. They be trying to bully me out there and I don't — I shouldn't have did it. It was childish.”
“I love Brian Branch,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said, “but what he did is inexcusable, and it's not going to be accepted here. It's not what we do. It's not what we're about. I apologized to Coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster. That's not OK. That's not what we do here. It's not going to be OK. He knows it. Our team knows it. That's not what we do.”
Smith-Schuster came away with a bloody nose from the punch.