Bill Belichick advocates for rule change after Lions’ Brian Branch faced controversial ejection against the Packers

Bill Belichick called for a rule change regarding ejection penalty imposed on Brian Branch, demanding it be the same as college football.

Bill Belichick advocates for rule change after Lions’ Brian Branch faced controversial ejection against the Packers

Bill Belichick and Brian Branch (Via The Boston Globe/Heavy)

Despite the strong 24-14 victory against the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions’ Sunday Night Football game has sparked significant discussion regarding the penalties assessed against defensive end Brian Branch. It seems like now-analyst Bill Belichick has a potential solution to prevent it from happening in the future.

The Lions’ star defensive player was imposed with an ejection penalty for a helmet-to-helmet collision with the Packers wide receiver Bo Melton. The officials on the field did not initiate a review, but after the executives at the review center in New York called the penalty, they had to abide by it. 

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In addition to that, Branch was penalized for making an obscene gesture toward the Green Bay fanbase by pointing his middle finger at them, as he was walking off the field. While addressing the ejection penalty of Branch, head coach Dan Campbell told his players to prepare themselves for heightened scrutiny in primetime games.

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Bill Belichick highlights importance of consistent rules for player development from college to NFL

While the Lions have compromised with this reality, the former NFL head coach put forward a different argument during his appearance on The Pat McAfee show. He called for a rule change regarding this penalty, arguing Branch made such a mistake because the rules differ between college football and the NFL. 

Football is a pretty complicated game… So I’m for trying to make the college and pro rules as much the same as possible and where they can’t be they can’t be. For this targeting situation, what I would be for is the NFL to adopt the college rules. They learn the rule, they learn what targeting is how it’s going to be called.

Bill Belichick weighed in

By changing such rules, Belichick argued that the transition from college football, where players spent three to four years before joining the league, to the NFL will be made smooth. 

Lions' Brian Branch against the Packers
Lions’ Brian Branch against the Packers (Via Acme Packing Company)

I would be for making it all the same and that would help the progression from college to pro football a lot smoother.

Bill Belichick added

As for the review that was missed by the on-field officials, Belichick didn’t comment on whether it was right or wrong. Instead, he highlighted how the NFL executives sitting in the review center in New York are equipped with a more extensive replay system that helps them analyze a play from different angles.