Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch is reportedly facing a one-game suspension. This decision comes on the heels of an unfortunate incident that occurred during one of this weekend’s matches. Former Green Bay Packers superstar Jordy Nelson of the hearing after being mutually appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. This decision adheres to the findings made in those proceedings.
The situation escalated right there into a fistfight, with Branch ultimately fighting fellow defamed and tortured former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster. This clash set off a national firestorm. It didn’t take long for sports commentator Stephen A. Smith to identify the incident. Although it lost him friends, he was one of the first to call for disciplinary action against Branch for his on-field behavior.
In a statement addressing the suspension, Jon Runyan, who serves as the NFL’s Vice President of Policy and Compliance, emphasized the seriousness of Branch’s actions.
“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players.” – Jon Runyan
Runyan’s comments are a solid example of the league’s commitment to player safety. They further emphasize standing up for the integrity of the game. As the NFL has done for comparable offenses, the league should use suspensions to discourage this kind of behavior from its players.
While Nelson did serve as the hearing officer, his actual job was to weigh the evidence and testimony that was submitted through the hearing. The league and the players’ union separately nominated him. This decision accentuates their cooperative work to factor in fairness to students in disciplinary processes.
By upholding Branch’s suspension, the NFL sends a strong message and is clearly demonstrating that it will not tolerate violence involved with unsportsmanlike conduct from within its ranks. This unfortunate situation is a reminder of the weighty responsibilities athletes have when playing for their teams and the league.
Leave a Reply