Last Sunday’s game featured a notable incident involving Lions safety Brian Branch and Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Following a contentious play, Branch expressed his frustration over an uncalled block in the back by Smith-Schuster.
Details of the Incident
Branch described the moment as an illegal play that caught the referee’s attention without any action taken. He mentioned, “I got blocked in the back illegally. It was in front of the ref; the ref didn’t do anything.” His concern centered around player safety, noting that such actions could lead to injuries.
Player Reactions
Despite Branch’s strong feelings about the block, JuJu Smith-Schuster faced no fines for the incident. This is often the case for routine blocks in the back, which typically do not result in penalties unless they escalate to unnecessary roughness.
League Policies on Fines
- Uncalled infractions usually require a higher threshold for fines.
- Fines are more common for unnecessary roughness that is flagged during games.
While the officiating crew did not assess a penalty against Smith-Schuster during the game, the league could have deemed his actions to be a foul independent of the game officials’ decisions.
Fines Handed Out to Others
In the aftermath of the game, two Lions players received fines for unnecessary roughness:
| Player | Fine Amount |
|---|---|
| Alex Anzalone | $12,172 |
| Tyler Lacy | $5,722 |
These fines were issued despite neither player being penalized during the game. The lack of penalties for the Chiefs further underscores the scrutiny on officiating decisions.
In conclusion, while Brian Branch voiced his discontent with JuJu Smith-Schuster’s actions, the outcome aligns with NFL enforcement practices regarding player conduct and safety on the field.
