NFL Films deleted a social media video about Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch after he punched Kansas City’s JuJu Smith-Schuster, sparking an on-field brawl.
The clip, part of NFL Films’ Turning Point series, aimed to show the buildup to Branch’s postgame outburst, covering several tough plays he endured during Detroit’s loss to the Chiefs last week.
“It was a long game for Lions safety Brian Branch, number 32,” narrated Louis Riddick. “He got burned by [Travis] Kelce’s basketball move. He got shown up by [Patrick] Mahomes. He got juked by Xavier Worthy and took a hit from JuJu Smith-Schuster. The turning point became Branch’s boiling point.”
The video also featured Branch’s postgame comments, claiming Smith-Schuster blindsided him with an illegal block in the back.
“I’m tired of players doing things between plays and refs missing it,” he said. “They’re trying to bully me out there.”
However, many Lions fans—and at least one teammate, D.J. Reader—criticized the video as unfairly harsh toward Branch, prompting its eventual removal from social platforms.
“NFL Films wants each show to reflect its unique voice and perspective,” the league told The Athletic in a statement.
“For NFL Turning Point, that voice belongs to Louis Riddick, who reviews every segment with producers before narrating. Within the full nine-minute Lions-Chiefs breakdown, that sequence fit differently than it did as a social clip. On X, it appeared overly critical of Branch, so it was removed.”
The video drew heavy backlash from Detroit supporters, and Reader called it “so weird to me.”
After the Chiefs’ 30–17 win over Detroit, Branch refused Mahomes’ postgame handshake before taking a swing at Smith-Schuster.
BThe two scuffled on the ground before Branch was handed a one-game suspension by the league.
Smith-Schuster left the fight bleeding from his nose, and another clip showed Chiefs coach Andy Reid forcefully shoving photographers aside during the melee.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t excuse Branch’s actions.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did was inexcusable,” Campbell told reporters.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan also condemned Branch in a disciplinary letter Monday: “Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious injury risk, and violated the league’s standards of conduct and sportsmanship.
“Your behavior reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Branch will serve his suspension and miss the Lions’ Monday night matchup against the Buccaneers.
