Stephen A. Smith calls for Brian Branch’s immediate suspension after a postgame fight with JuJu Smith-Schuster in Chiefs-Lions; NFL review and fallout explained.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch is facing a storm of criticism — and calls for discipline — after a postgame altercation with Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following the Chiefs’ 30-17 win. Prominent ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith told viewers on First Take that Branch “should be suspended immediately,” arguing the hit during the post-game handshake period was inexcusable and badly reflected on Branch and the Lions organization. Hindustan Times
The sequence began after Patrick Mahomes kneeled to end the contest and extended a handshake; Branch refused the handshake, then confronted and struck Smith-Schuster, knocking him down and igniting a brief on-field brawl involving players from both teams. Broad coverage from Reuters and other outlets confirmed the incident and described Smith-Schuster leaving with a bloody nose after the melee. Reuters+1
Stephen A. Smith said the action had no excuse and urged both the NFL and the Detroit Lions to act swiftly. He questioned Branch’s explanation that earlier on-field acts had provoked him, noting that retaliation in the handshake line cannot be justified and that such conduct warrants league discipline. Smith’s commentary drew further attention to Branch’s disciplinary record and the broader issues of sportsmanship in the NFL. Hindustan Times
Branch himself later issued a remorseful statement, telling reporters “I did a real childish thing” and acknowledging he overstepped. He said frustration with perceived rough play and uncalled fouls had boiled over, but accepted responsibility for his actions. The Athletic and Hindustan Times reported his apology and subsequent media comments. Hindustan Times+1
The NFL has already opened a review and league sources say fines are likely, with suspension also on the table depending on the findings. Reporting from Bleacher Report and other sports outlets indicates that the league routinely examines postgame altercations, and precedent suggests Branch could face hefty fines and possibly a multi-game suspension if deemed repeat misconduct. Analysts note that the league will weigh intent, injury risk, prior fines and whether the action was retaliatory. Bleacher Report+1
Lions head coach Dan Campbell condemned the behaviour as “inexcusable,” while Chiefs coach Andy Reid described the blow as unprovoked. Both teams have emphasised that on-field safety and sportsmanship are priorities, and team discipline could follow any league action. Fan reaction on social platforms has been swift and largely critical, with many pointing to Branch’s prior fines and suggesting he needs to control his temper for the team’s sake. Fox News+1
Why this matters: high-profile incidents like this spike search interest for terms such as “Brian Branch suspension,” “Chiefs Lions fight,” “Stephen A. Smith reaction,” and long-tail queries like “will Brian Branch be suspended for postgame punch” or “how many fines does Brian Branch have” — all excellent targets for SEO-driven coverage. To capture traffic, provide timely updates (league rulings, fine amounts, and official statements), embed short clips or verified highlights, and publish follow-ups analyzing precedent for suspensions in similar NFL cases.
Practical next steps for readers: watch for the NFL’s official discipline notice, read the team statements from the Lions and Chiefs, and follow Branch’s next comments. For editors: an effective package pairs this core story with explainer posts — “NFL discipline rules for postgame fights,” “Branch’s disciplinary history and fines,” and “how handshake line incidents have been handled previously” — to maximise search visibility and keep readers engaged.
