Lions’ Dan Campbell Sounds Off on Brian Branch Punch in Chiefs Postgame Melee
There was plenty for Dan Campbell to be upset about during the Detroit Lions–Kansas City Chiefs game in Week 6. But defensive back Brian Branch added another item to Campbell’s list right after the game.
Cameras caught Branch delivering a punch on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at the conclusion of Sunday Night Football. That led to a skirmish between the two teams on the field immediately after the game ended.
Campbell made clear in his postgame press conference that he didn’t support Branch’s postgame actions.
“Let me start with this,” Campbell told reporters. “I love Brian Branch, 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 [JuJu Smith-]Schuster. That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here, and it’s not gonna be OK. He knows it, our team knows it. That’s not what we do.”
Branch delivered his punch on the receiver after the Chiefs wideout appeared to offer his hand for a postgame handshake. Branch also didn’t accept a handshake from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes just before the incident with Smith-Schuster.
Dan Campbell Delivers Clear Message on Brian Branch Punch
Football can be a frustrating game. But clearly, Branch crossed the line following Detroit’s loss at Kansas City.
It’s rare for head coaches and teammates not to support the players on their team. But Branch was so far over the line that, quite frankly, it would have been inexcusable to defend him.
Branch’s punch could come with significant ramifications.
“If the league fines Branch for fighting, the standard amount for a first offense is north of $40,000,” Heavy Sports’ Max Dible wrote. “The standard fine for a second offense is more than $80,000, per NFL.com. The NFL typically makes fine amounts public on the Saturday following an incident.”
Branch has never fought during or after an NFL game previously, but he has a long history of financial punishment in the league. Branch has received 13 fines equally about $180,000 in three NFL seasons.
The Lions defensive back could face a suspension over the incident. In 2021, the league suspended former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill for two games after he started a fight with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Detroit was missing five of its top six cornerbacks for Sunday’s matchup against the Chiefs. Losing Branch for any amount of time would be extremely detrimental for the Lions defense.
Patrick Mahomes Responds to Branch Punch
After Branch’s punch, Mahomes was briefly involved in the melee before Chiefs players pulled him out of it. The quarterback didn’t appear pleased with the Branch’s lack of sportsmanship.
Mahomes expressed that feeling during his postgame interview on Peacock.
“We play the game between the whistles,” Mahomes told NBC reporter Melissa Stark.
The Lions and Chiefs don’t play each other often. Sunday night was their first matchup since 2023. They won’t square off again in the regular season until 2027.
So, it will be awhile before Branch and Mahomes see each other again. Unless, of course, the two teams meet in the Super Bowl.
Stephen Curry On How Kobe Bryant Gave Him His 'Welcome To The NBA' Moment
Kobe Bryant elbowing his way through defenses is a picture that many NBA fans have etched in their memory. Stephen Curry also clearly remembers his first encounter with the mamba and how he got his ‘welcome to the NBA moment.’
In his rookie season in 2009-10, Curry found himself guarding Bryant and was welcomed by a constant blow of elbows, which Curry thought warranted a call from the referees.
“I got switched onto him; he was giving me those body blows with his elbows.. I’m in awe of him.. My naive self is looking at the refs asking for a call like they’re gonna give me a call over Kobe Bryant.”
“Then he caught the ball, did a little left shoulder fadeaway, and just ran down the court. I was like 'Alright, welcome to the NBA.'”
Curry was especially lean and small by NBA standards when he came into the league. Even though he weighed pretty much the same as he does now, he hadn’t developed the build needed to stand tall with the basketball giants.
He still managed to have an impactful season, averaging 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. A few seasons later, the three-point maestro would get a chance to get back at the Lakers legend.
“About three years later, I hit a shot on him, from the top of the key, and that was kind of his passing the torch moment back to me. He kind of gave me a little pat on the way back on court. It was kind of cool to get the initiation and then get the torch pass.”
The Golden State Warriors' superstar had a rough journey to success, with his size being a significant question mark, and his ankles getting injured repeatedly. But once he was comfortably settled in the league, he showed fans what he’s capable of.
Last year, as well, he was the anchor around which the American Olympic team rallied, and he did a stellar job of leading them to win the gold medal. But that did not happen without some help.
Stephen Curry Hails Carmelo Anthony For Helping At The Olympics Like A Third Coach
The American Olympic basketball team had Steve Kerr as their head coach, and Mark Few, Erik Spoelstra, and Mark Williams served as the assistant coaches. But Curry reveals that he had some additional help from a Redeem Team member, Carmelo Anthony.
“He was like our third coach over there. He was yelling plays and telling us what to do; he’s Mr USA. He’s played in so many Olympics. It was nice to have his presence.”
Adding the gold medal to his trophy cabinet meant a big deal to the revolutionary point guard. Getting it done with a storybook ending, beating France in their capital in front of the world to see, will be a moment he’ll cherish for the rest of his life.
