Mtp.Chiefs’ JuJu Smith-Schuster Fined by the NFL for ‘Dirty Hit’ on Brian Branch That Sparked End-of-Game Chaos Against the Lions — Andy Reid Speaks Out in Defense of His Player

Kansas City, Missouri – October 14, 2025 – In the latest development following the intense matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, the National Football League (NFL) has officially announced a fine against Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The player has been fined $45,000 for an action that NFL officials described as “unnecessary and dangerous” during his collision with Lions safety Brian Branch. This incident led to chaos at the end of the game, stirring up significant discussion in the American football community.

According to the NFL’s announcement, Smith-Schuster’s hit from behind on Branch in the second half of the game was thoroughly reviewed through video footage. Although no penalty flag was thrown on the field, after reconsideration, the league’s disciplinary committee decided to impose a financial penalty. No suspension was issued for Smith-Schuster; however, internal league sources confirm that this veteran player will be placed under “recidivism review.” This means that if a similar incident occurs in the future, he could face stricter disciplinary measures, including suspension.

The game between the Chiefs and Lions ended with a 26-20 victory for Kansas City in overtime, but the biggest highlight was the unintended conflicts. The collision between Smith-Schuster and Branch ignited tensions, leading to a brief scuffle after the game when Branch charged in and punched Smith-Schuster. Branch was subsequently suspended for one game by the NFL for “unsportsmanlike conduct” and a “non-football act.” However, many opinions suggest that the root of the chaos lies in Smith-Schuster’s “dirty hit” from behind, which caused Branch to fall and may have provoked the reaction.

End zone view of the block in the back by Juju Smith-Schuster on Brian Branch. pic.twitter.com/YBUpuGlslw— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) October 13, 2025

The Chiefs’ head coach, Andy Reid, quickly spoke out in defense of his player during a press conference after the fine was announced. Reid asserted that Smith-Schuster’s action was merely a “slip-up” and completely unintentional. “JuJu is a professional player; he never wants to hurt anyone. It was just a moment of passion on the field, and he apologized right after the game,” Reid said. He also expressed opposition to the $45,000 fine, arguing that it was excessively harsh given the nature of the incident. “We can’t apply such a large fine for a routine collision in football. If anyone should receive criticism from the public, it should be Branch, because he turned an on-field situation into a personal conflict after the game.”

Reactions from the fan community are quite divided. Some Chiefs supporters argue that Smith-Schuster was just doing his job in a blocking play, while Lions fans accuse him of dirty play and deserving a heavier penalty. NFL analysts like Adam Schefter from ESPN have commented that this incident could impact the image of both teams, especially as the Chiefs aim to defend their Super Bowl title.

Currently, Smith-Schuster has not issued an official comment on the fine, but his representative stated that there will be no appeal. The Chiefs’ next game will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they hope to focus on performance rather than off-field drama. The NFL continues to emphasize its commitment to maintaining fair play, and this incident could serve as a lesson for players on controlling emotions in high-stakes games.