Things got intense on Sunday night between the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs defeated Detroit, and that should’ve been the end of things. However, star Lions defensive back Brian Branch punched Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, leading to a skirmish on the field between the teams.
Branch was awarded a one-game suspension for his actions, a surprisingly light response given the seriousness of his actions. However, Branch still elected to appeal the suspension, and now the final verdict is in, per one prominent insider around the league.
“Lions safety Brian Branch’s one-game suspension was upheld upon appeal,” [reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter.](https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1978616443559092357)
Schefter then followed up with who made the final call.
“The hearing officer in Brian Branch’s appeal was Jordy Nelson, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA.”
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Suspension upheld. Translation: NFL’s never wrong, even when they might be,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“What about Hollywood brown the week prior throwing a punch and no suspension huh weird,” one Lions fan added.
“When is the NFL going to suspend the horrible referees? Start with the crew who officiated the Bears vs Commanders game Monday. They were pathetic,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Lions defense looks without Branch.