Detroit Lions React to Controversial NFL Films Video

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The atmosphere within the Detroit Lions locker room turned tense following the release (and swift deletion) of an NFL Films video featuring suspended safety Brian Branch. Players found the footage to be excessively critical.

Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed disbelief over the video’s portrayal of Branch, shared in the NFL Films’ “Turning Point” series. The one-minute clip, narrated by ESPN’s Louis Riddick, highlighted Branch in a negative way, showcasing lowlights from the Chiefs’ 30-17 victory over the Lions.

“I thought that video was crazy,” St. Brown remarked, questioning the intention behind its release. He noted, “As I was watching, I was like, ‘I don’t know if it was like a trick or mockery.’ I clicked on the NFL, and I was shocked to see it was genuine.”

Branch received a one-game suspension without pay on Monday for unsportsmanlike conduct after a confrontation with JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Kansas City Chiefs at the game’s conclusion, a decision that was upheld on appeal.

Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader found the video “strange” as well, criticizing it for highlighting an incident that the league claimed to want to move past. “If you want to downplay something, why release a video that brings it back to the forefront?” Reader asked.

In response, Riddick issued a statement clarifying that the goal of “Turning Point” is to present all game events, good or bad, without the intention to cast anyone negatively. He acknowledged that the segment could be interpreted that way and vowed to prevent similar misinterpretations in the future.

The NFL also addressed the situation, explaining why the clip was removed. They noted that the piece felt too critical in its social media context compared to its position in the full nine-minute game breakdown, leading to its deletion.