Lions Branch hits Chiefs’ Smith-Schuster, triggers melee

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A long, frustrating night for the Detroit Lions inside Arrowhead Stadium ended with safety Brian Branch punching Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, sparking a brief scuffle between players from both teams.

After Kansas City’s 30-17 victory Sunday night, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted to greet Branch as they met near midfield. Branch walked right past Mahomes and Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took umbrage with the decision, walking over to Branch and having a few words with him.

Branch responded by throwing a right hook that knocked Smith-Schuster to the ground.

“It was a childish thing, but I’m tired of people doing stuff between games and the refs not understanding,” Branch said. “They’re trying to intimidate me there. I should never have done it. It was childish.”

Smith-Schuster jumped up and tackled Branch, who was playing through an ankle injury that had kept him out of practice most of the week. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, but Branch managed to rip Smith-Schuster’s helmet off as dozens of players from both teams converged on the scrum.

Eventually, coaches and players managed to separate the parties, and they finally left the field for the locker room. Branch could face a hefty fine and suspension for his actions.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Branch’s actions were “inexcusable” and “will not be accepted here.” He apologized to Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Smith-Schuster.

The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Detroit, which was trying to achieve a rare feat by winning back-to-back games at Arrowhead Stadium. Instead, the Lions allowed 355 total yards on offense, forced just one punt, and were unable to make the stops they needed late in the fourth quarter to give their offense a chance to come back.

Jared Goff finished with just 203 passing yards, although he threw touchdowns to Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta, while Amon-Ra St. Brown was held to 45 yards receiving. Jahmyr Gibbs needed 17 carries for 65 yards.

Eric Woodyard of ESPN and the Associated Press contributed to this report.