The Detroit Lions lost one of their star players, slot-turned-safety Brian Branch, when Branch clocked a defenseless receiver in the Green Bay Packers’ Bo Melton on Sunday. While no one seems to be contesting whether or not Branch should have been flagged on the play for his clear helmet-to-helmet hit, there is some debate — right or wrong — about whether Branch should have been ejected for the play.
Initially, Branch was only flagged for the hit before the officials reconvened and ejected Branch. Branch then took it upon himself to throw double middle fingers to the Lambeau Field crowd, earning himself another 15-yard penalty after the announcement of his ejection.