The postgame altercation between Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, capped by Branch striking Smith-Schuster, has thrust the young defensive back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
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Why Brian Branch’s Past Fines Could Doom Him to a Suspension
As the NFL begins its review for potential discipline, it’s clear Branch’s actions were egregious, but it’s his extensive, costly, and well-documented history of fines that will likely be the deciding factor in escalating his punishment from a hefty fine to a potentially damaging suspension.
The Line Crossed: A High-Profile Postgame Incident
The tension erupted moments after the final whistle of the Chiefs-Lions game. Following the final snap, a visibly frustrated Branch first appeared to refuse a handshake with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes before initiating physical contact with Smith-Schuster, ultimately striking him in the face/helmet.
The resulting scuffle drew in players from both teams, creating a chaotic scene on a national stage.
While Branch has since admitted his action was “childish” and explained he felt provoked by an uncalled illegal block earlier in the play, the act of striking an opponent after the game has ended is a clear violation of the league’s sportsmanship rules.
The league’s crackdown on postgame altercations is designed to uphold the professional integrity of the sport, and any on-field violence outside the flow of play is typically met with severe sanctions.
The Weight of the Record: A Precedent for Greater Discipline
In the NFL’s system of discipline, a player’s previous record is not merely a side note—it is often a multiplier for punishment. For Brian Branch, this is a grave liability.
His young career has already been marred by a seemingly constant stream of financial penalties. Branch has reportedly amassed over a dozen fines totaling approximately $180,000 for various on-field infractions, including:
- Unnecessary Roughness: Multiple fines for dangerous hits and helmet-to-helmet contact.
- Taunting/Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Penalties demonstrating a persistent lack of composure.
- Low Blocks/Fighting: Fines for plays deemed outside the rules of the game’s spirit and safety.
This isn’t just a list of minor infractions; it paints a picture of a player repeatedly struggling with self-control and consistently violating rules designed for player safety and sportsmanship.
Escalation, Not Just Addition
The league’s disciplinary history suggests that repeat offenders for on-field conduct are likely to see their penalties escalate beyond fines to include suspensions. The standard fine for a first offense of fighting is significant—in the range of $40,000—but with Branch’s history, the league is no longer viewing this as a first offense of general misconduct.
There is precedent for suspension in similar, though rare, postgame situations. The NFL previously suspended former Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill for two games without pay in 2021 for throwing a postgame punch. Given that Branch’s action also initiated a broader melee and his track record is far more extensive than Hill’s was at the time, a suspension is now a distinct possibility.
Beyond the Field: Impact on Team and Player
A suspension would be a significant blow to the Lions, impacting the defensive unit’s game planning. However, the impact on Branch himself is more profound.
- Financial Loss: A suspension means losing game checks, an even more painful penalty than a fine. For a player on a rookie contract, this is a substantial economic loss.
- Reputation and Trust: The incident forces Branch’s own coach, Dan Campbell, to publicly apologize for his player’s “inexcusable” actions, eroding the trust and confidence of the team and the organization. Branch’s lack of discipline under pressure undermines the team’s identity and goals.
- Future Scrutiny: Any subsequent close-call play or aggressive action will now be reviewed under a harsher light, virtually guaranteeing the maximum punishment for any future infraction.
Ultimately, the NFL’s decision will serve as a stark reminder: the league tracks every penalty and fine. For Brian Branch, his past indiscretions have established a pattern of behavior that has finally pushed him to the precipice of a more severe penalty.
His talent may be immense, but his disciplinary history has proven to be an anchor, dragging him toward a suspension that will cost him both playing time and respect.
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