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Kansas City Chiefs’ Sunday night victory over the Detroit Lions was expected to showcase Patrick Mahomes’ return to peak form. Instead, it ended in controversy after a heated brawl erupted between players from both teams, leaving wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster bloodied and the NFL world buzzing.
Now, newly surfaced footage appears to shed light on what truly ignited the confrontation — and surprisingly, Mahomes himself may have played a part in sparking the chaos.
New video shows Mahomes mocking Lions players
A video circulating on social media has offered fans a closer look at the chaotic postgame moments that turned violent. In the clip, Mahomes can be seen seemingly mocking members of the Lions moments before the scuffle broke out.
The footage shows Mahomes attempting to shake hands with Lions safety Brian Branch following the Chiefs’ 30-17 win. However, Branch appeared to snub the handshake, instead turning toward JuJu Smith-Schuster, after which a physical altercation erupted, ending with the Chiefs’ receiver suffering a bloody nose.
The clip quickly went viral, with fans dissecting every frame to determine what triggered the fight. Many pointed to Patrick Mahomes’ earlier behavior — a combination of gestures and smirks — as a possible spark that fueled Branch’s frustration.
The play that escalated tensions
The tension between Mahomes and Branch reportedly began earlier in the game. During one of Kansas City’s late drives, Mahomes scrambled for a touchdown between two Lions defenders. As the play ended, Brian Branch appeared to shove Mahomes, possibly out of frustration.
In response, Mahomes allegedly taunted the Lions defender, which fans described as an “unmistakable smirk and gesture.” This moment, now replayed thousands of times online, has become the centerpiece of the debate over who instigated the brawl that followed.
Though Patrick Mahomes has not publicly commented on the incident, the Lions’ silence during postgame interviews has only fueled speculation about what was said or done in those crucial seconds before the altercation.
Social media divided over Patrick Mahomes’ role
The online reaction to the viral clip has been explosive. While some fans defended Patrick Mahomes’ actions as harmless postgame banter, others argued that his mocking demeanor may have been the final straw that led Brian Branch to lose his composure.
The debate has reignited discussions about sportsmanship and provocation in the NFL, with fans and analysts questioning where the line should be drawn between competitiveness and disrespect.
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