Lions' Brian Branch apologizes for giving Packers fans middle finger after ejection | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions reacts after being ejected during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 3, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin . (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton during Sunday’s 24-14 win. As he left the field, he picked off Packers fans at Lambeau Field, earning him a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

On Wednesday he apologized for those actions:

Erik Woodyard @E_Woodyard

#Lions S. Brian Branch apologized for throwing duplicate birds to the Green Bay public after his eviction. “That’s not something I wanted to show or that I wanted people to notice me like that,” he said. “That was just the hottest part of the day for me and I apologize to anyone who saw that.” pic.twitter.com/Zbq9fJn3lT

Branch’s expulsion was controversial, to the point that Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady – who is barred from publicly criticizing game officials given his minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders –spoke out against the decision.

“I don’t like that call at all,” he said during the broadcast. “I mean, it’s obviously a penalty. But for me that has to be a serious intention in a match like this.”

FOX Sports: NFL @NFLonFOX

Lions DB Brian Branch has been ejected from the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit. pic.twitter.com/wgX5m9AOGr

That’s what the NFL said Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk, Brady would not be fined for these comments.

“The concern would be if Tom were blatantly critical of the actions or questioned the integrity of an officer or the crew. That did not happen in this case.”

After the game, NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell told reporters that the decision to eject Branch did not occur automatically on the field, but rather coincided with the replay center’s review of the hit.

“We looked at all angles and we clearly felt that he had time and space to make a different choice as the act was a flagrant violation,” he said. “And he clearly had the ability to avoid the head and neck area.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell added that on-field officials only told him that the decision to eject Branch “came from New York.”

Melton said he did not believe Branch purposefully attacked him in the helmet area.

“He was playing with the ball,” he told reporters. “I’m all good, so it is what it is. He was playing with the ball and he hit me when I was in the air. So it is what it is.”

Few also noted after the game, Branch could face further discipline from the NFL’s compliance department for his middle-finger gesture to Packers fans.