Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin suggested Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was “doing the work of the Lord” when he tangled with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Branch and Smith-Schuster were central figures in a scuffle after the Chiefs’ 30-17 victory over the Lions on Sunday, and Franklin was completely in favor of it.
“JuJu was asking for it,” Franklin stated during a recent appearance on the “Club 520 Podcast.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Let’s be real. … He’s been asking for it for a while. Brian Branch is truly doing the work of the Lord.”
Franklin referred to Smith-Schuster as an “a—–” regarding his style of play.
“(Smith-Schuster’s) an a—–, bro,” Franklin said. “Here’s the deal, I’m gonna be blunt with you. We gonna get right up close. And when we get that one-on-one matchup, I’m not gonna back down. So, whether I win or lose, it is what it is. He’s the type to do all the subtle, underhanded things, push you from behind, then run to the ref … then try to act friendly afterward.”
Franklin alluded to images that surfaced online after the altercation showing Smith-Schuster with a bloody nose, and he mocked the Chiefs wide receiver for it.
“Bro, you can’t be crying with a bloody nose. Think about your kids, bro,” Franklin said. “Like, what’s your son going to think? C’mon, bro. … I really feel like I can’t let y’all — with my son in the stands, I can’t let you lay a hand on me. My girl’s watching, and she might start liking you after this. Like, am I going to tell my girl when I get home that I just got my a– whooped on Sunday night?”
LIONS SAFETY BRIAN BRANCH SUSPENDED 1 GAME FOR FIGHT AFTER LOSS TO CHIEFS
While Franklin may have appreciated the scuffle, the Lions certainly did not. The NFL suspended Branch for one game, and his appeal was unsuccessful.
The Lions will be without their key safety for their Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lions head coach Dan Campbell strongly disapproved of Branch’s actions.
“I like Brian Branch a lot, but his actions are inexcusable, and they won’t be tolerated here. It’s not who we are. It’s not what we represent,” Campbell said after the game. “I apologized to coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster.
“That’s not acceptable. That’s not what we’re about here. It’s not going to be OK. He’s aware of it. Our team is aware of it. That’s not who we are.”
Branch described his decision to initiate the scuffle as “childish.”
“It was a childish act, but I’m fed up with people doing things between plays that the refs miss,” Branch said. “They’re trying to bully me out there. I shouldn’t have done it. It was childish.”
The incident began when Patrick Mahomes attempted to shake hands with Branch. The Lions safety ignored Mahomes, which led Smith-Schuster to approach Branch.
After some words were exchanged, Branch slapped Smith-Schuster on the helmet. As the conflict escalated and players tried to separate them, Branch removed Smith-Schuster’s helmet.
Branch’s postgame outburst was not the first instance of unsportsmanlike conduct affecting him. He had already been fined earlier this season. He was penalized $23,186 for face mask and unsportsmanlike conduct infractions against the Green Bay Packers in September.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
