Following a helmet-to-helmet hit on receiver Bo Melton in the second quarter of Sunday’s victory over the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was dismissed early.
When the league’s officiating command center in New York gave the order to remove Branch from the game, officials had already flagged Branch for the hit. Many people, including former NFL star turned commentator Tom Brady, voiced their opposition to the decision, which sparked a heated debate.
According to Brady, who was a member of the announcing staff for Sunday’s game, “I do not love that call at all.” “Obviously, it is a penalty, but in a game like this, I think there has to be serious intent
Even though the Lions overcame the deficit and won 24–14, the ejection remained controversial, with many people criticizing the league’s choice.
Increasing Anger over the NFL’s Choice
Brady was not alone in finding the decision to expel Branch hard to believe. Others felt that rather than simply flagging the safety for needless roughness, the league office went too far in kicking him out of the game.
Herman Moore, a former wide receiver for the Lions, wrote on X, “The NFL should investigate Brian Branch’s ejection.” “There is a problem with that call. This would be the same as Goff being kicked out.
Mike Greenberg of ESPN expressed his disapproval of the call as well.
In a post on X, he said, “I need to get a thesaurus so I can find more words to describe how much I hate the ejection of Brian Branch in Green Bay.”
Dan Campbell Uncertain of the Reason for Brian Branch’s Expulsion
Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters following the game that he never received a thorough explanation for Branch’s ejection, pointing out that the league office, not the “The only explanation I received was that it originated from (the league office in) New York. Those guys did a fantastic job, and I have a lot of respect for what they do, including referee Clete (Blakeman).” According to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News, Campbell stated, “That is all I have on it.” Since I have been a head coach, that was the first occasion I have ever been involved in something like that when someone was dismissed. Thus, I failed to see it. I am not sure.
Despite the muddy and rainy conditions, the Lions managed to hold on for a hard-fought victory over a division rival. Following the match, Campbell stated that the victory demonstrated the team’s resilience.
“Dude, we are built for this,” Campbell remarked. It makes no difference if we play indoors. We can perform wherever. In the snow, we can play. In the rain, we can play. In the mud, we can play. That only applies to us. We are designed to succeed.With the victory, the Lions improved to 7-1, taking the lead in the conference and the NFC North.
