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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch did “the Lord’s work” when he got into it with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Branch and Smith-Schuster were at the center of a scrum after the Chiefs’ 30-17 win over the Lions on Sunday, and Franklin was all for it.
“JuJu needed his a– tude,” Franklin said during a recent appearance on the “Club 520 Podcast.”
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(Left) Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) sneaks into the backfield against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2025. (Right) Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch with Kansas City-Chief wideout Smiths (32). (9) while being restrained by Kansas City Chiefs players after an NFL football game in Kansas City, Missouri on October 12, 2025. (Steve Roberts/Imagn Images; Ed Zurga/AP Photo)
“Let’s just go there … He’s needed his a– hoot for a moment. Brian Branch is doing the Lord’s work.”
Franklin called Smith-Schuster an “a—–” for how he plays.
“(Smith-Schuster’s) a—–, bro,” Franklin said. “This is my thing, I’ll talk big to you. We’ll go right up. And when we get it one-on-one, I’m not going to duck the smoke. So if I win or lose, it is what it is. He the guy who’ll do all these little weird, sneaky things, push you behind your back, try to be cool with you … then try to be cool with you.”
Franklin referenced photos circulating online after the game that showed Smith-Schuster with a bloody nose, and he made fun of the Chiefs wide receiver for it.
“Bro, you can’t cry with your nose (bloody). You got kids, bro,” Franklin said. “Like, what’s going to happen to your son? Come on, bro. … I’m really like, bro, I can’t let you all — my son in the stands, I can’t let you put your hands on me. My girl’s watching. She likes you now after this. Like, what, I’m going to tell my girl when I get home that I just got my one–hump.”
LIONS SAFETY BRIAN BRANCH SUSPENDED 1 GAME FOR GAME AFTER LOSS TO CHIEFS
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (not pictured) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) get into a scuffle after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
While Franklin might have loved the scrum, the Lions sure didn’t. The NFL suspended Branch for one game and he lost his appeal.
The Lions will be without their star safety in their Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lions head coach Dan Campbell condemned Branch’s actions.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it’s not going to be accepted here. That’s not what we do. That’s not what we’re about,” Campbell said after the game. “I apologized to coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster.
“It’s not right. That’s not what we’re doing here. It’s not going to be right. He knows it. Our team knows it. That’s not what we’re doing.”
Branch called his decision to start the fight “childish.”
“It was a childish thing, but I’m tired of people doing things between the plays and the refs don’t get it,” Branch said. “They’re trying to bully me out there. I never should have done that. It was childish.”
Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The incident occurred when Patrick Mahomes was shown trying to shake hands with Branch. The Lions safeties ignored Mahomes, prompting Smith-Schuster to pass to Branch.
After exchanging words, Branch punched Smith-Schuster across the helmet. As the melee unfolded and the players tried to separate the two, Branch pulled off Smith-Schuster’s helmet.
Branch’s postgame outburst wasn’t the first time unsportsmanlike conduct has hurt him, as he’s already been fined this season. He was fined $23,186 for facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct against the Green Bay Packers in September.
