“Dumbest Citation Ever” – Emmanuel Acho Slams Officer After Zachariah Branch Arrest

Georgia WR Zachariah Branch was arrested on Sunday for not listening to an officer who asked him to stop blocking the sidewalk.

“Dumbest Citation Ever” – Emmanuel Acho Slams Officer After Zachariah Branch Arrest

Zachariah Branch and Emmanuel Acho (Image via IMAGO/X

In Short
  • Emmanuel Acho criticized the arrest of Zachariah Branch, calling the citation "dumb."
  • Branch was arrested for obstructing public sidewalks and resisting a law enforcement officer in Athens, Georgia.
  • His arrest may impact his draft position, as he is projected to be a mid- to late third-round pick.

Zachariah Branch‘s arrest in Athens, Georgia, has Emmanuel Acho fuming at the local law enforcement. Acho called the arrest “dumb” upon hearing the actual citation.

Branch played his final year of college football with the Georgia Bulldogs. According to the consensus Big Board, Branch is a mid- to late third-round draft pick, the 66th best player, or the 10th best wide receiver in the draft.

On Sunday, around 1:22 a.m., the Athens-Clarke County police booked Branch for obstructing public sidewalks/streets. They also added a second charge of obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He posted bail around 3:44 a.m.

Shortly after, Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network posted the entire transcript on Twitter/X that documented Branch’s arrest.

A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give [Zacharia] Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk. Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk.

Misspelling of Branch’s name aside, the citation sounds very trivial until one realizes that the State of Georgia does deem standing or blocking on the sidewalk as an obstruction to public order. According to their official website, if a policeman deems that an individual, despite warning, continues to “purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway, street, sidewalk, or other public passage in such a way,” then the individual is “guilty of a misdemeanor.“

Emmanuel Acho reacted to Branch’s arrest in the latest episode of Speakeasy.

This is the most non-sensicle, dumb, egotisticle citation I have ever seen and this is why we often say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Acho said

After criticizing the officer, Acho delivered a message for Branch. In less than a week, he will be drafted by a team where he will sign a rookie contract (the money varies depending on the round he’s drafted in). If he manages to prove himself in the NFL within a few years, he will earn five times his rookie contract. A run-in with the law in such a juncture does not send a good message to the league.

Why are you out at three o’clock in the morning, just three days before the draft? Just go get your paper… Don’t even play with cops. History in this country says, don’t play with cops.

Acho said

Zachariah Branch was amazing during his time at Georgia

Branch was not always a part of the Georgia Bulldogs. He started his college career at USC. During his freshman year, Branch received passes from Caleb Williams. He caught 31 passes for 320 yards and scored 2 touchdowns while also returning 40 kicks for 700+ yards and 2 TDs.

"Dumbest Citation Ever" - Emmanuel Acho Slams Officer After Zachariah Branch Arrest
Zachariah Branch (Image via IMAGO)

After Williams made the switch to the NFL in 2024, USC paired Branch with Riley Moss and later Jayden Maiava. His stats improved slightly, catching 47 passes for 503 yards and 1 TD.

Before the start of the 2025 campaign, Branch entered the transfer portal and landed at Georgia. At Athens, he caught passes from junior Gunner Stockton. Branch racked up 73 passes for 744 yards and 5 touchdowns in 13 games.

Branch, who is 5′ 9″ tall and weighs 177 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds and jumped 38 inches high and 10 feet 5 inches wide at the NFL Combine.

According to the latest mock drafts, Branch is projected to end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft. But his arrest may cause him to slip down even further.

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