NFL continues to take a strong stance following Lions S Brian Branch Week 6 altercation with Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

The Kansas City Chiefs' primetime matchup against the Detroit Lions ended with a bang as both sides were involved in a fight that started due to an altercation between safety Brian Branch and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

The incident began when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went over to shake Branch’s hand, but the defensive back ignored the gesture, instead walking right past him and brushing it off. Smith-Schuster saw this interaction and wasn’t having it. He confronted Branch, appearing to have said something about this disrespectful act.

Branch came right over and took a shot at Schuster, shoving him in the face. JuJu Smith-Schuster went after Branch, and from there, both teams started to get into it. Smith-Schuster was left with a bloody nose.

And on Monday, the league suspended Branch for one game without pay due to unsportsmanlike conduct. NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan said the incident violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”

“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game,”Runyan’s letter to Branch said, per a statement released by the NFL.

However, Branch decided to appeal the decision. But on Wednesday, it was announced that the suspension was upheld by the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association.