Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch is voicing regrets after throwing up the double bird to Green Bay Packers fans this past Sunday.
Branch was frustrated after being ejected from the game. After having some time to reflect, however, he offered an apology.
“That’s not something I wanted to show or want people to notice me as that,” Branch said, according to ESPN. “That was just the heat of the moment for me, and I apologize to everyone who seen that and that won’t happen again.”
The Lions would go on to win the game, 24-14, giving them sole possession of first place in the tough NFC North.
Brian Branch Even Admits The Ejection Was Warranted
Branch also took a moment to comment on the hit that led to his ejection, conceding that officials made the right call that he had targeted Packers receiver Bo Melton too high with a late hit.
“I most definitely agree with the call,” he said after watching film. “My target was obviously high, but that was never my intentions to aim for the head.”
“Moving forward I do have to move my target down.”
Officials in the NFL replay headquarters reviewed the hit and determined it warranted an immediate ejection. Frustrated by the situation, Brian Branch gave Packers fans, who had cheered his ouster, a little salute.
Lions DB Brian Branch has been ejected from the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit. pic.twitter.com/wgX5m9AOGr
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024
Additional Penalty
ESPN reports that the Detroit Lions coaching staff could only encourage Brian Branch to lower his targets and supported him by saying they didn’t think he had “malicious intent.”
He’ll also need to learn to control his emotions in difficult situations. Aside from costing his team a key player with his ejection, Branch also had cost his team an extra 15 yards for another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for flipping the bird to fans.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said his young player needs to understand situations, especially in a primetime game against a division rival.
“He’s got to get used to that,” Campbell said. “When you play in primetime games, New York’s gonna look at all these. They don’t care about the 1 o’clock games. They do those primetime games. So understand the situation.”
Fortunately for Branch, his team was able to finish off the win.
And all that said – when is the last time you saw an athlete both take responsibility and apologize?
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