Brian Branch, JuJu Smith-Schuster Clash After Chiefs’ Victory

A post-game altercation erupted on March 10, 2024, between Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following the Chiefs’ 30-17 victory. The incident unfolded near midfield after the game had concluded, when Branch struck Smith-Schuster in the face, leading to a scuffle involving players from both teams.

As the game ended, Branch ignored an attempt by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to greet him, walking past near the center of the field. Smith-Schuster approached Branch to offer a handshake, but after what appeared to be a brief exchange of words, Branch delivered an open-handed blow to Smith-Schuster’s facemask, causing him to fall to the ground.

Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco intervened, attempting to separate the two players. However, Smith-Schuster quickly retaliated, pursuing Branch and resulting in further chaos as players from both sides joined the fray.

In the aftermath of the skirmish, Branch publicly apologized for his actions. He expressed his frustration with Smith-Schuster, citing a controversial play during the game when he felt he had been illegally blocked in the back. “I did a real childish thing,” said Branch, 23. “I’m tired of people doing stuff in between plays and refs don’t catch it. They be trying to bully me out there.” He acknowledged that while his frustration was valid, his reaction was unwarranted.

Smith-Schuster responded to the incident by calling Branch a talented player and indicated he had expected a friendly exchange. “I was expecting a handshake and a ‘good game’,” said Smith-Schuster, 28. “But he threw a punch. I’m just doing my job; I play between the whistles.” This sentiment was echoed by Mahomes, who emphasized the importance of playing the game within the established boundaries. “They can do all the extracurricular stuff they want to do, but we play in between the whistles,” he stated during a post-game interview.

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid remarked on the incident, describing Branch’s actions as unprovoked and noting that it resulted in a bloodied nose for Smith-Schuster. “That’s tough, and he did pretty good damage on JuJu’s nose,” Reid commented.

On the other hand, Lions head coach Dan Campbell condemned Branch’s behavior, stating, “I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it’s not going to be accepted here.” He affirmed that such actions do not align with the team’s values and expressed regret for the incident, apologizing to both Reid and Smith-Schuster. “That’s not what we do here, and it’s not gonna be okay,” Campbell reiterated.

Branch, who was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has faced disciplinary actions this season, accumulating fines totaling $34,784 for various unsportsmanlike conduct violations. Smith-Schuster, a seasoned player who has previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, has also made a name for himself in the league, being selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018.

As the season progresses, both teams will likely reflect on the incident as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and maintaining composure, even amid competitive tensions on the field.