The one-game suspension of Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was upheld upon appeal Wednesday.
The hearing officer was Jordy Nelson, who was jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
“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,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Branch explaining the suspension. “Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Branch will miss the Lions’ game Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be eligible to return to the active roster the following day.
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