Brian Branch, the Detroit Lions’ safety, now knows how much he has to pay in fines. Both for his hit on Bo Melton and the ensuing vulgar reaction at the Green Bay Packers game.
The NFL fined Branch a total of $20,256 on Saturday, according to NFL Network source Tom Pelissero. The insider explained how the entire dollar amount was calculated: $10,128 for each hit that resulted in his Sunday expulsion, plus the same amount for flipping off road supporters.
Branch left with only one tackle at Lambeau Field. However, his Lions won 24-14 in a crucial NFC North game. On November 3, two of the conference’s best faced off.
Following the fine disclosure, followers instantly took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to respond.
“That isn’t as horrible as I expected. “Still shouldn’t have been ejected,” one fan wrote to Pelissero.
“League is soft,” another supporter defended Branch’s behaviour.
The league has fined Branch for the first time this season. He will not be suspended as a result of the NFL’s verdict. Branch will put on his pads for the big Sunday Night Football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Many fans believe that the Lions-Texans game could serve as a preview for Super Bowl LIX.
Branch and the Lions must prepare to face a formidable Texans club. Branch already has to account for outstanding Houston wide receiver Nico Collins, who was activated off injured reserve on Saturday. Collins lost playing time due to a hamstring ailment. This will be Branch’s first live game against him and the Texans.
Did Brian Branch apologize following the Lions-Packers game?
Inquiring minds questioned if Branch regretted his conduct. The star safety ultimately apologized for raising his middle fingers to Packers fans.
“That’s not something I wanted to show or have people notice me as,” Branch told ESPN on Tuesday. “That was just the heat of the moment for me, and I apologize to everyone who seen that and that won’t happen again.”
Branch expressed his sorrow. But did he apologize for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Melton?
“I most definitely agree with the call,” Branch stated. “My goal was obviously high, but I never intended to aim for the head. Moving forward, I need to lower my target.”
Moving forward, the 6-foot, 203-pound safety aims to modify his pad level. The NFL continues to have zero tolerance for hits on the helmet’s crown.
Branch, on the other hand, witnessed colleague Kerby Joseph’s amusing attempt to make light of the safety’s double bird by designing fresh t-shirts Friday.
However, Melton astounded many fans with his surprising admission about the Branch hit.
“He was playing ball,” Melton told ESPN Packers writers Eric Woodyard and Kalyn Kahler following the game. “I’m fine, so that’s what it is. He was playing ball and hit me while I was in the air. So that’s what it is.
The Packers and Lions will not play again until December 6 at Ford Field. That rematch is likely to have huge playoff and divisional race implications.
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