Detroit, MI – October 14, 2025

The NFL has moved swiftly following Sunday night’s heated matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, officially announcing late Monday that disciplinary action

has been taken against Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for his dangerous blindside block on Lions safety Brian Branch — a hit that sparked a chaotic postgame brawl at Arrowhead Stadium.

Video footage from the end-zone angle, released by the league’s officiating department, clearly showed Smith-Schuster sprinting from behind and delivering a violent blow to Branch’s neck and shoulder area after the play had ended

. The impact left Branch briefly motionless on the turf, drawing outrage from fans, players, and analysts across the league.

Officials later confirmed the play met the criteria for a

blindside block — one of the NFL’s most dangerous and prohibited forms of contact. The league has classified such hits as a “point of emphasis” since 2019, following a rise in concussions and neck-related injuries.

⚠️ What Is a Blindside Block?

A blindside block occurs when an offensive player delivers forcible contact to the head or neck of a defender who cannot see or prepare for the collision.

It often happens in:

• Kickoff and punt returns, when blockers clear lanes for the returner.

• Screen plays, protecting the quarterback or ball carrier.

• Running plays, when offensive players attack from a defender’s blind angle.

These hits are banned due to their extreme injury risk and are punishable by heavy fines or suspensions under league policy.

After a full review by the NFL’s disciplinary office,

JuJu Smith-Schuster was fined $45,000 for what officials called an “unnecessary and dangerous act.” No suspension was issued, but league sources confirmed that the veteran receiver has been placed under

“repeat-offender review” should another similar incident occur.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation in a firm statement released just before midnight:

“After reviewing the footage, we discovered a dangerous blindside block from behind by JuJu Smith-Schuster on Brian Branch that was initially missed. This act not only jeopardized a player’s safety but also violated the standards of fair play the league stands for.”

 

Lions safety Brian Branch, who later admitted he lost his temper after the play, told reporters he was “tired of seeing dirty hits go unpunished.” Head coach Dan Campbell

, who had initially criticized Branch for his postgame reaction, said he would revisit the footage before addressing the media again.

The NFL concluded its statement by reaffirming its stance on player safety:

“Protecting athletes from illegal and defenseless hits remains one of our highest priorities. Actions of this nature will not be tolerated.”

With tensions between the Lions and Chiefs already high, this late-night ruling has only intensified one of the NFL’s most talked-about rivalries of the season.