'Inexcusable': Dan Campbell Had Stern Message After Brian Branch Started Postgame Fight

Lions defensive back Brian Branch hit Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster in the face following the Chiefs win on Sunday.
Lions safety Brian Branch started a fight with the Chiefs after Detroit's loss on Sunday.
Lions safety Brian Branch started a fight with the Chiefs after Detroit's loss on Sunday. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Following the Lions' loss to the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, safety Brian Branch smacked Kansas City wideout Juju Smith-Schuster in the face, starting a fight between the two teams.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared to stick a hand out to try and dap up Branch, but Branch went past him and after Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster struck back, and both teams became involved shortly after. The scuffle eventually was broken up, and Smith-Schuster was seen walking back to the locker room with a towel over his nose.

Lions coach Dan Campbell made it clear during his postgame press conference that Branch's actions were not okay. He also apologized to the Chiefs.

"I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable," Campbell told reporters after the loss. "It's not going to be accepted here. It's not what we do, it's not what we're about. I apologize to Coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs and [Juju Smith] Schuster. That's not okay, that's not what we do here. He's not going to be okay. He knows it. Our team knows it."

The fight took place after the game, so Branch and the Lions were not able to be penalized. Branch, who has repeatedly been fined throughout his career, likely will receive another for starting this skirmish.


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Eva Geitheim
EVA GEITHEIM

Eva Geitheim is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in December 2024, she wrote for Newsweek, Gymnastics Now and Dodgers Nation. A Bay Area native, she has a bachelor's in communications from UCLA. When not writing, she can be found baking or re-watching Gilmore Girls.