KK. Brian Branch Blames Refs After Punching JuJu Smith-Schuster — Claims Chiefs Got Away With ‘Dirty Plays’ All Game
Detroit, MI – October 13, 2025
The fallout from Sunday night’s brawl between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs just took another dramatic turn — and this time, safety
Brian Branch isn’t holding back.
Following his shocking post-game punch that connected with Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Branch has publicly blamed the officiating crew led by referee Craig Wrolstad
, claiming that repeated no-calls and overlooked dirty plays throughout the game pushed him past his breaking point.
In an emotional statement shared Monday morning, Branch explained his outburst with brutal honesty:
“I felt like we were getting pushed around all night and the refs didn’t care. You try to stay composed, but when they let late hits and blindsides slide over and over, it starts to feel like you’re being bullied on national TV. I lost my cool, and that’s on me — but I didn’t start it.”
According to Branch, the tension began early in the second quarter when he accused Kansas City’s receivers of shoving and blocking out of bounds long after plays were dead. He claims multiple complaints to officials went unanswered, fueling his growing frustration.
The breaking point, he said, came in the fourth quarter on a play where Smith-Schuster allegedly delivered a blindside block to his ribs — one Branch insists was “clearly illegal.” Moments later, after the final whistle, Branch stormed toward midfield and threw the now-infamous punch that sent the Chiefs wideout staggering backward.
Looks like they could’ve flagged Kelce for a hold on this play
Chiefs have not been flagged for a penalty tonight pic.twitter.com/LFagO9VuAm
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 13, 2025
Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the league will likely fine or suspend Branch but didn’t shy away from criticizing the officiating, either. “There’s a line between toughness and chaos,” Campbell said post-game.
“I’ll talk to Brian about his reaction — but I’ll also say this: some of those hits out there didn’t look clean, and they weren’t called.”
NFL officials have yet to release a formal response regarding Branch’s accusations, but sources around the league confirm the incident is under review for both disciplinary and officiating evaluation.
Fight breaks out at the end of the Chiefs vs Lions game pic.twitter.com/xt6KBj5pC3— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 13, 2025
For Lions fans, the moment captures the thin edge between passion and control — between defending your team’s pride and crossing the line. Branch, just 23, knows the damage his punch caused, but his words echo something deeper: a frustration many players share when they feel the game isn’t being called fairly.
“I’ll take whatever comes my way,” Branch concluded. “But I just hope next time, someone’s watching both sides — not just the one wearing red.”
The NFL has yet to comment on the officiating crew’s performance in the Lions-Chiefs game.
BREAKING: Eagles Fire Charlie Rock Over Controversial Post on Charlie Kirk Shooting
Philadelphia, PA – September 12, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have fired a staff member after a controversial social media post about the tragic shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew national backlash.
According to reports, the Eagles employee — working in the team’s communications department — shared a post on a personal account featuring an image of Kirk alongside the caption, “Why are y’all sad? Your man said it was worth it …”
The post also referenced Wu-Tang Clan’s track “Protect Ya Neck,” which many interpreted as mocking Kirk’s death.
The reaction online was swift and fierce, with fans and political commentators calling the post “deeply offensive” and demanding accountability from the organization.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie personally addressed the controversy, saying: “As owners of the Philadelphia Eagles, we want to be absolutely clear: violence is never a subject for mockery. Our organization exists to unite people, not divide them. Charlie Rock’s words were unacceptable and do not reflect who we are as a team or as a family.”
By dismissing the staffer, the Eagles followed a similar path taken by the Carolina Panthers earlier this week, who also cut ties with an employee over a nearly identical social media incident.
The case underscores the growing scrutiny NFL franchises face when it comes to employee conduct online, especially during moments of national tragedy.
While some fans debated issues of free speech, the overwhelming response pointed toward the importance of organizational integrity and the responsibility to separate personal expression from professional affiliation.
For the Eagles, the decision was about protecting the team’s reputation and reaffirming their commitment to respect, accountability, and community values.
