🚨 NFL Drops the Hammer: Brian Branch Hit With Major Punishment After Violent Slap on Chiefs Star!

The NFL has officially handed down punishment to Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch following his post-game altercation with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster

, an incident that erupted moments after the Chiefs’ 30–17 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.

The confrontation began just after Patrick Mahomes kneeled to close out the game. As players approached midfield for post-game handshakes, Branch appeared to ignore Mahomes, then suddenly confronted Smith-Schuster and

slapped him across the facemask, sparking a brief on-field fight before officials and coaches stepped in to separate both sides.

⚖️ The Penalty
The league announced late Sunday that Branch has been suspended for one game (Week 7 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and

fined $62,000 for “striking an opponent” and “unsportsmanlike conduct.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement emphasizing that emotions are no excuse for violence on the field:
“We understand that Brian Branch may have been provoked — emotions run high in this game — but that can never justify an act of unsportsmanlike conduct. Every player is responsible for their choices, even in the heat of the moment. This punishment isn’t just about discipline; it’s a reminder that professionalism and self-control define the true spirit of the NFL.”

According to Rule 12, Section 3: Unsportsmanlike Conduct in the NFL Rulebook, any act of physical retaliation after the final whistle constitutes a major violation. The league stressed that post-game altercations, particularly during the handshake period,

“damage the image of fair play and sportsmanship the NFL upholds.”

📉 Branch’s Disciplinary History
This is not Branch’s first brush with league discipline. Over the past two seasons, he has accumulated

more than $90,000 in fines for unnecessary roughness, taunting, and helmet-removal violations. His repeat-offender status reportedly influenced the league’s decision to issue a heavier fine than usual.

With this latest suspension, the Lions will be without one of their defensive starters for a crucial Week 7 matchup — and Brian Branch now faces another difficult chapter in a career that’s quickly drawing the scrutiny of the entire league.