The NFL didn’t wait long to issue its punishment for Lions defensive back Brian Branch after he ignited a brawl Sunday night after hitting Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
And a league executive chastised Branch, saying his “conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Following the Chiefs’ 30-17 win over the Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Branch snubbed Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes’ handshake attempt, then took a swing at Smith-Schuster, starting a brouhaha on the field.
Branch admitted it was a “childish” move on his part, and Lions coach Dan Campbell said it was “unacceptable.”
The NFL agreed.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote a letter to Branch, expressing the league’s displeasure with his actions.
“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” Runyan wrote. “Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Branch is being suspended without pay, but he can appeal the decision, the league said.
“Under the CBA ... any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline,” the league said in a news release.
Nelson is the former Kansas State star wide receiver who played 10 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Green Bay Packers.