DETROIT – Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke about Brian Branch after the league announced the safety is suspended for sparking a brawl with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Branch was handed a one-game suspension on Monday -- the day after he punched Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the aftermath of Detroit’s loss on Sunday Night Football.
Lions-Chiefs brawl: What everyone said, everything we know
Campbell was asked about the suspension and how he can make sure his players walk the line of staying emotionally invested without hurting their team.
“Our guys know that,” Campbell said. “This is one instance of something that happened, and it doesn’t matter what led to it.
“We all know -- it’s no different than if you’re driving down the road and something happens on the highway, right? You can’t take out your aggression on somebody else. Can’t cross that line. Our players know that. Brian knows it. He’s fine. He’ll learn from this and be better.
“Listen, he’s an outstanding young man. He really is, and he’s got a big heart, and he made a mistake, and he’ll learn from it.”
Assuming they don’t win their appeal of the suspension, the Lions will be without Branch for Monday Night Football against the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.