The NFL has made their ruling on Lions safety Brian Branch’s punishment, and it’s not a good one
The Lions will be without Branch against the Buccaneers
You had to know that after the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night, when Brian Branch punched Juju Smith-Schuster in the face and started a brawl, that he would be in some big trouble.
Especially when you see that he’s already been fined 13 times in three seasons. Well, on Monday, the NFL made its decision.
Brian Branch will be suspended for one week without pay and won’t be with the Lions against the Buccaneers
Welp, there you go. It sucks to see it happen, but you just cannot do this in the NFL on any day. But “Sunday Night Football” on national television is the worst possible time to do it. The NFL issued the following statement on Branch’s suspension:
“Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch has been suspended without pay for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct following Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits unsportsmanlike conduct and applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”
In a letter to Branch, Runyan wrote:
“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Branch will be eligible to return to the Lions’ active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 21, following the team’s Oct. 20 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Branch may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.”
Branch has already issued a public apology in the locker room after the loss, and it seems unlikely he would appeal this, but we will update you if he does.