Dan Campbell addressed the actions of his safety, Brian Branch, following the postgame brawl between the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs.
What Happened at the End of the Game Between the Lions and Chiefs?
Bush league from Brian Branch pic.twitter.com/aDSW4p7Byd
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 13, 2025
The Chiefs defeated the Lions 30-17 in a competitive matchup on Sunday Night Football. However, the biggest story came after the final whistle.
After Patrick Mahomes took a knee to run out the clock, Branch walked directly toward Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. Branch ignored Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco and got right in the face of Smith-Schuster.
After Smith-Schuster offered a handshake, Branch hit the wide receiver across the facemask, sending him back. Smith-Schuster darted for Branch, and the safety responded by dragging the receiver to the ground by the facemask.
The altercation led to players from both sides jumping into the fray. Branch and Smith-Schuster had to be pulled away by their teammates and coaches.
The NFL will investigate the brawl before handing out disciplinary punishments. Branch will surely be fined for his action, and a suspension is not off the table.
Dan Campbell Apologizes For Brian Branch’s Actions
"I love Brian Branch but what he did is inexcusable. And it's not gonna be accepted here."
Lions head coach Dan Campbell started his postgame presser by addressing the scuffle that broke out at the end of the game vs. the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/8rtvlEhIlC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 13, 2025
Following the game, Campbell strongly condemned Branch’s actions and apologized to the Chiefs.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did was inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Campbell said in his postgame press conference via Lions.com. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about. I apologize to Coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster. That’s not okay. That’s not what we do here. And it’s not going to be okay. He knows it; the team knows it.”
Branch went after Smith-Schuster for an incident between the two earlier in the game. Smith-Schuster blocked Branch in the back, but the officials did not throw a flag.
After the game, Branch explained the situation and apologized for his antics.
“I got blocked in the back illegally,” Branch said via The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy. “And it was in front of the ref, and the ref didn’t do anything. And just stuff like that. I coulda got hurt off a that, but I still should not have done that.”
Branch continued, “I did a real childish thing. I’m tired of people doing stuff in between plays, and refs don’t catch it. They be trying to bully me out there. I shouldn’t have did it. It was childish.”
The Lions (4-2) host the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) on Monday Night Football in Week 7.
End zone view of the block in the back by Juju Smith-Schuster on Brian Branch. pic.twitter.com/YBUpuGlslw
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) October 13, 2025
