(Video) Brian Branch Slaps JuJu Smith-Schuster Moments After Refusing to Shake Hands With Patrick Mahomes

Lions Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch smacked Chiefs WR Juju Smith-Schuster in the face after Detroit lost to KC on Sunday.

(Video) Brian Branch Slaps JuJu Smith-Schuster Moments After Refusing to Shake Hands With Patrick Mahomes

Lions safety Brian Branch smacked Chiefs WR Juju Smith-Schuster (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Brian Branch is a very competitive athlete, but sometimes the cutthroat nature of the gridiron gets the better of him. For instance, the Pro Bowl safety found himself in a scuffle with Kansas City Chiefs WR Juju Smith-Schuster following the Detroit Lions’ 17-30 defeat at Arrowhead Stadium.

Dan Campbell’s team had won four straight games ahead of Sunday’s clash and entered Arrowhead as slight favorites. Moreover, Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff had never lost against his counterpart, Patrick Mahomes, during their previous two meetings.

All signs pointed to a Detroit victory until the Chiefs secured all the points under their noses. Andy Reid’s Chiefs played a flawless game, devoid of any penalties or turnovers. Detroit, meanwhile, was penalized 4 times by the officials for 38 yards.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Brian Branch had 4 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles on the night. His frustration got the better of him when Mahomes came over to shake his hand.

Branch ignored the two-time league MVP and smacked his receiver, Juju Smith-Schuster, in the face with a vicious right hook. A massive scuffle broke out before security rushed in to de-escalate the situation.

Patrick Mahomes sent a stern warning to Brian Branch for hitting Juju Smith-Schuster

Mahomes was under pressure to deliver for the Chiefs. The loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week five had left them with just two wins.

(Video) Brian Branch Slaps JuJu Smith-Schuster Moments After Refusing to Shake Hands With Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

The 30-year-old threw two touchdown passes to Hollywood Brown and one to Xavier Worthy before scrambling for one and improved the Chiefs’ record to 3-3. Mahomes completed 22 passes from 30 attempts for 257 yards and three scores, along with 10 carries for 32 yards and 1 score.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Mahomes has thrown 38 completions for 1069 yards, 11 total touchdowns, and only 1 interception across the last four games.

At the final whistle, he tried to shake hands with Branch but was ignored before the huge brawl broke out. When the dust settled, Mahomes took a jab at the Lions while speaking with NBC Sports’ Melissa Stark.

They can do all the extracurricular stuff they want to do, but we play the game between the whistles.

Mahomes said

Branch could be punished for his actions

This wasn’t Branch’s first time inviting unnecessary trouble. Cris Collinsworth, who was in the booth to cover the game, said,

The league is going to take action on that one against Branch. Brian Branch is no stranger to being punished by the NFL for his actions. Through the first three years of his career, Banch has accumulated more than $100,000 in fines. Earlier this year, Branch was docked $23,186 for grabbing the facemask of Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft and taunting him.

The Lions drafted Branch 45th overall in the 2023 NFL draft. Since then, he has been ever-present in the Lions’ backfield alongside Terrion Arnold and Kerby Joseph.  

Branch played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2020 to 2022 and won the CFP National title during his freshman year.

Detroit is all set to enjoy a bye week, which will give Branch enough time to cool his head before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. The Chiefs, on the other hand, prepare to host their biggest foes, the Las Vegas Raiders, next week.

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