Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch apologized Wednesday for disturbing the Lambeau Field crowd following his ejection during Sunday’s 24-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
“That’s not something I wanted to show or have people notice me.” Branch told reporters. “That was just the heat of the moment for me, and I apologize to everyone who saw that and it won’t happen again.”
Branch was ejected for a late helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton. After Melton dropped Jordan Love’s pass, Branch hit Melton on the sideline, drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness. The play was reviewed and Branch was ejected from the game.
After arguing with officials, the second-year defensive back attacked the crowd as he left the field, earning him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and likely a fine from the NFL.
Lions safety Brian Branch waves a friendly goodbye to Lambeau Field after being ejected for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton. pic.twitter.com/POAu2QG7Hl
-Ellie French (@elliefrenchTV) November 3, 2024
Lions head coach Dan Campbell attributed Branch’s punishment to the fact that it was a nationally televised game and the officiating standard changes when that is the case.
“You have to get used to that,” Campbell said. “When you play primetime games, New York is going to look at all of those. They don’t care about the 1 o’clock games. They do those games in primetime. So understand the situation.”
NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Perry Fewell told a reporter from the group Multiple angles of the hit were reviewed after the game and it was thought Branch had enough time to take a different route.
“And he clearly had the opportunity to avoid the head and neck area,” Fewell added.
Days later, Branch regretted his actions and said penalizing him for the hit was the correct decision by officials.
“I definitely agree with the decision. My aim was obviously high, but it was never my intention to aim for the head,” Branch said. “To move forward I have to move my goal downwards.”
