Green Bay Packers supporters react as Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch leaves the field after being ejected during the first half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Former Green Bay Packers standout wide receiver Jordy Nelson remains involved with the NFL long after his playing days ended. The former Pro Bowl pass-catcher now serves as a hearing officer, acting as a mediator between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

Nelson, now 40, recently oversaw the appeal of Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch, who was issued a one-game suspension for his postgame altercation with Kansas City Chiefs wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, which almost led to a sideline melee.

Branch’s appeal was ultimately rejected, as Nelson decided to uphold the league’s original one-game ban.

“Hearing officer Jordy Nelson, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, has upheld the one-game suspension of Detroit defensive back Brian Branch,” shared Michael Signora, the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Football & International Communications, on X, formerly Twitter.

Nevertheless, many fans couldn’t resist injecting some NFC North rivalry flavor into Nelson’s decision to maintain the suspension.

Fans respond to Packers legend’s involvement in Branch’s suspension

Several fans argued that someone with such deep ties to Green Bay, like Nelson, shouldn’t have played any role in ruling on Branch’s appeal, considering he plays for one of the Packers’ fiercest rivals.

“Mockery of Fairness,” one fan wrote on X.

Another posted: “yeah that’s totally fair, let a former Packers player decide the fate of a Lions player.”

A different commenter said: “Look, I supported the suspension and even thought it should’ve been harsher, but letting a Packers legend handle a Lions player’s appeal during a tight division race? Terrible optics.”

“Right, Packers legend Jordy Nelson was the most impartial choice 😂,” another social media user wrote.

Another reaction read: “Jordy Nelson judging Brian Branch? That’s like your old rival being named your referee.”

Someone else joked: “Jordy Nelson went from catching passes to rejecting appeals. Wild how one of Rodgers’ favorite targets now decides Branch’s fate. Still, he’s got more sense than most refs!”

Regardless, Branch will serve his one-game suspension during Week 7’s matchup between the Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Monday night.