Lions vs Chiefs game ends in brawl

Question

After an anticipated game between the KC Chiefs and Detroit Lions, a brawl broke out after the Lions loss. After the game, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes made an attempt to shake Lions Safety, Brian Branch, hand. However, Branch ignores the shake in bad sportsmanship. Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster made the same attempt, however, Branches reaction was a direct hit to JuJus helmet, leading to a brawl between both teams. The reason for the hit was due to an earlier block made on Branch by JuJu, which Branch said he did not appreciate since the block was illegal and a call was not made. However, Branch agrees that his action was unacceptable.

Answer 1

This claim is true after the conclusion of an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. A scuffle occurred between Lions safety Brian Branch and Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. These events occurred on multiple live television networks and were shared countless times on social media. The event was also reported on by many sports journalism publications like ESPN, NBC Sports, and many others.

The fight reportedly was sparked earlier in the game over an illegal block by Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, which was not called at the time. The conflict was further escalated after Lions safety Brian Branche refused to shake Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' hand after the game. This offended Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who had a few words with Branch at the center of the field. Branche then responded by striking Smith-Schuster in the face mask, which knocked him to the ground. dozens of players from both teams then surrounded the two to defend their teammates. This is confirmed in this ESPN article https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46578247/lions-branch-punches-chiefs-smith-schuster-setting-scrum . Branch called his actions "childish" and was later suspended for one game following the post-game brawl.

Answer 2

This statement made is true. On October 12th, 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions faced off for the Sunday Night Football matchup of the week. With two of the top teams in the league, the Chiefs soared to victory with a 30-17 win over the Lions. But throughout the game, the Lions started to become frustrated with their play. Once the final second passed off the clock, Lions safety Brian Branch took a strike to Chiefs wide-receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Branch felt idiotic about his actions. With his direct quote being posted on many sports media reports, but mine specifically coming from ESPN and CBS Sports, he said, "'It was a childish thing, but I'm tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don't catch it. They be trying to bully me out there. I should have never did it. It was childish.'". (ESPN, CBS Sports). Because this is a direct quote coming from the player that instigated the action, this reinstates that this original claim made is true. The action of admitting to the idiotic action made by the player that turned into a brawl is truth in it's finest form.

Not just coming from Branch himself, Lions head coach Dan Campbell had something to say about Branch's actions as well. Firstly, the actions in the claim stated must've been as bad as stated if head coach Campbell had to make a statement on it. Stated in Forbes Magazine, "Detroit head coach Dan Campbell began his postgame press conference by apologizing for Branch’s actions." (Forbes). Then following that, this is what Campbell had to say about the actions, “'I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Campbell said. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’ re about. I apologize to Coach Reid and the Chiefs and JuJu Smith-Schuster. That’s not okay. That’s not what we do here, and it’s not going to be okay. He knows it. Our team knows it.'” (Forbes). This quote validates the action but also describes a bigger impact. The head coach apologized to an entire team and two specific people. People were impacted by this brawl and coach Campbell wasn't going to hide any truth of that.

Another reason that supports the truth of this claim is what happened after the brawl ensued. Following Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 in the NFL rule book, Branch violated this according to these words, "There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." (NFL Football Operations). His actions were noted as NFL Vice President of Football Operations sent him a message stating, "'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.'” (Forbes). Following this, Branch was suspended. As the NFL was quoted in the same article, "The NFL has suspended Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch for one game for his role in the postgame brawl, following Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The suspension is without pay for Branch, who was slated to earn about $1.5 million this year and already has been fined for actions in two games this season." (Forbes). This wouldn't have happened unless something truly occurred. There is almost always past action that receives punishment and this is what Branch earned with his actions.

Therefore with all this evidence, to the people who apologized, to the people who were impacted, and the rules that were violated, this whole brawl is truthful and actually happened.

Sources:

ESPN Article: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46578247/lions-branch-punches-chiefs-smith-schuster-setting-scrum

CBS Sports Article: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-suspends-brian-branch-without-pay-for-initiating-postgame-brawl-between-lions-and-chiefs/

NFL Rulebook: https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/#rule12

Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2025/10/13/lions-pro-bowler-brian-branch-receives-one-game-suspension-for-fight-against-chiefs/