Following his open-handed slap of Kansas City Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster that sparked a brief postgame fracas between both teams Sunday night, the NFL has levied a one-game suspension to Branch.
Branch’s behavior has been trending this way since he became a Pro. The NFL has suspended him several times already in his young career. Hope he doesn’t go down the Suh path with all eyes on him always looking for any type of behavior that brings flags and fines!
I appreciate the NFL’s position on this. BB should have waited to get his revenge. However, I also believe that Schuster engaged in conduct that was, “…aggressive, … entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL. That also reflects poorly on the NFL and has no place in the NFL game. The only difference was Shuster did it in the course of the game, but it was a premeditated act designed to seriously injure Brian Branch. Which was worse, the slap to the helmet or the attempt to injure? I realize that the NFL is reviewing the situation, but anything less than a suspension of Schuster strikes me as hypocritical and favoritism. The official who ignored the block should also be disciplined. I’m also disappointed in DC. Perhaps he was trying to placate decision makers in the NFL office, but BB just bit a kneecap. That’s what DC said would happen. He owes BB a public apology. Just another opinion.
I love BB, but he deserves this. His over aggressiveness has hurt the team and his teammates. It seems to be escalating. I do not want him to be the Quay Walker of the Lions.
He needs to talk to someone or go to anger management. It's too easy to get in his head and he's being targeted. Teams know he'll react, so they get in his head early. Tucker Kraft has been doing it since last year.
I’m not that bummed out about Branch swatting a guy he’s pissed at. Of course you can’t come right out and condone it, no one wants chaos after every game, every play. But on the other hand, as a person who’s always been a pretty salty loser, I find all the immediate post-game love between opponents off putting and foreign. Hugging, exchanging jerseys, laughing and carrying on like you just ran into a long lost high school buddy you unexpectedly ran into while on vacation at some island resort with all-inclusive drinks? I don’t get it. Give me a guy who hates losing enough to be in a sour mood right after getting his as handed to him by the other team, I’ll tolerate the occasional suspension.
The "post-game love" is often saying hi to a college or pro teammate who you do consider a friend. If BB is too pissed to be civil, he should just head straight to the locker room.
It looked like he was trying to do just that. Mahomes tried to shake his hand and he walked away. Schuster approached him to shake his hand and that’s when he slapped Schuster.
I don't know if the Lions will pile on top of the NFL's suspension. I would not expect the team to make any statement. If there's public comment, it would come from Campbell during a press session.
I’m glad he is suspended. This will hopefully be best in the long run if he has to sit and watch and realize the full impact that selfish immature actions have on your team. Gotta be smart and disciplined to be a Lion.
They need to nickname BB “15 yards,” since he has no self control. Love the talent and hate the lack of discipline.
Who’s next man up? Is it Thomas Harper?
Or Maddox, if he gets right. Harper showed a little something, though.
12 did play well considering the circumstances - hope Maddox can play though. I know you’ll keep us updated.
Branch’s behavior has been trending this way since he became a Pro. The NFL has suspended him several times already in his young career. Hope he doesn’t go down the Suh path with all eyes on him always looking for any type of behavior that brings flags and fines!
I appreciate the NFL’s position on this. BB should have waited to get his revenge. However, I also believe that Schuster engaged in conduct that was, “…aggressive, … entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL. That also reflects poorly on the NFL and has no place in the NFL game. The only difference was Shuster did it in the course of the game, but it was a premeditated act designed to seriously injure Brian Branch. Which was worse, the slap to the helmet or the attempt to injure? I realize that the NFL is reviewing the situation, but anything less than a suspension of Schuster strikes me as hypocritical and favoritism. The official who ignored the block should also be disciplined. I’m also disappointed in DC. Perhaps he was trying to placate decision makers in the NFL office, but BB just bit a kneecap. That’s what DC said would happen. He owes BB a public apology. Just another opinion.
I don't think sucker punching a guy after the game is what DC meant by "biting kneecaps".
I love BB, but he deserves this. His over aggressiveness has hurt the team and his teammates. It seems to be escalating. I do not want him to be the Quay Walker of the Lions.
He needs to talk to someone or go to anger management. It's too easy to get in his head and he's being targeted. Teams know he'll react, so they get in his head early. Tucker Kraft has been doing it since last year.
I’m not that bummed out about Branch swatting a guy he’s pissed at. Of course you can’t come right out and condone it, no one wants chaos after every game, every play. But on the other hand, as a person who’s always been a pretty salty loser, I find all the immediate post-game love between opponents off putting and foreign. Hugging, exchanging jerseys, laughing and carrying on like you just ran into a long lost high school buddy you unexpectedly ran into while on vacation at some island resort with all-inclusive drinks? I don’t get it. Give me a guy who hates losing enough to be in a sour mood right after getting his as handed to him by the other team, I’ll tolerate the occasional suspension.
The "post-game love" is often saying hi to a college or pro teammate who you do consider a friend. If BB is too pissed to be civil, he should just head straight to the locker room.
It looked like he was trying to do just that. Mahomes tried to shake his hand and he walked away. Schuster approached him to shake his hand and that’s when he slapped Schuster.
Did not look to me like he was jogging straight to the tunnel, which is the best way to avoid interacting with opponent's players.
Love BB!!! ✊🏿 glad he’s on our team! That’s all I got to say!
Serious risk of injury? What BS is that?
It's not the slap, it's what the slap causes, when a ton of people are on the field, including photographers, older coaches, etc...
Very poorly worded by the NFL
Pretty standard legal language for corporate documentation.
Given Campbell’s comments, I presume there will be in-house ramifications also. Will those likely be made public, or no?
I don't know if the Lions will pile on top of the NFL's suspension. I would not expect the team to make any statement. If there's public comment, it would come from Campbell during a press session.
I hate that he got suspended, but I figured it was coming.😟
That is an expensive way to get a three-week vacation.
I’m glad he is suspended. This will hopefully be best in the long run if he has to sit and watch and realize the full impact that selfish immature actions have on your team. Gotta be smart and disciplined to be a Lion.
Plus now he gets to rest his sore ankle for another week...