KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An extended, irritating night time for the Detroit Lions inside Arrowhead Stadium ended with security Brian Department delivering an open-handed strike to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, setting off a short combat amongst gamers from each groups.
After Kansas Metropolis’s 30-17 victory Sunday night time, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tried to provide a high-five to Department as they met close to midfield. Department walked previous Mahomes, and Chiefs vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took umbrage with the transfer, strolling as much as Department and having just a few phrases with him.
Department responded by hanging Smith-Schuster in his facemask, sending him to the bottom.
“It was a infantile factor, however I am uninterested in individuals doing stuff in between the play and refs do not catch it,” Department stated. “They be attempting to bully me on the market. I ought to have by no means did it. It was infantile.”
Smith-Schuster leaped to his ft and went after Department, who performed regardless of an ankle damage that had stored him off form many of the week. Chiefs working again Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, however Department succeeded in ripping Smith-Schuster’s helmet off as dozens of gamers from each groups converged on the scrum.
“He is a fantastic participant and he is big for [their] staff,” Smith-Schuster stated of Department. “After the sport, I anticipated to shake his hand and say, ‘Good sport.’ However he threw a punch.”
Department stated he was blocked within the again by Smith-Schuster towards the tip of the sport in entrance of the referees they usually did not reply.
“I may’ve acquired harm off of that play,” Department stated. “I nonetheless should not have completed that.”
Requested what he thought prompted Department’s actions, Smith-Schuster replied, “I imply, me simply blocking him.”
“I am simply doing my job,” Smith-Schuster stated. “I play between the whistles.”
Finally, coaches and gamers separated the events, they usually lastly left the sphere for the locker room. Department might be dealing with one other hefty wonderful — he was docked $23,186 for face-masking and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties towards Inexperienced Bay final month — and maybe even a suspension.
“I like Brian Department,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated, “however what he did is inexcusable, and it isn’t going to be accepted right here. It is not what we do. It is not what we’re about. I apologized to Coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster. That is not OK. That is not what we do right here. It is not going to be OK. He is aware of it. Our staff is aware of it. That is not what we do.”
Smith-Schuster got here away with a bloody nostril.
“The man got here up and hit JuJu for what appeared like no motive,” Reid stated. “That is robust, and he did fairly good harm on JuJu’s nostril.”
Veteran Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader stated he deliberate to speak to Department as soon as the feelings from Sunday die down.
“We’ll have that dialog. It is laborious to have that dialog proper now as a result of all people’s attempting to have the dialog,” Reader stated. “I am certain I am going to get an opportunity to speak to him, but it surely’s robust as a result of he is acquired that stinger for a motive as a participant and you do not ever wish to take that away, however you additionally need him to be good. Not just for us, but additionally for himself. To guard his cash, to guard him.”
The loss snapped a four-game successful streak for Detroit, which was attempting to tug off a uncommon feat by successful two consecutive video games in Arrowhead Stadium. As an alternative, the Lions allowed 355 yards of complete offense, compelled only one punt and did not make the stops they wanted late within the fourth quarter to provide their offense an opportunity to mount a comeback.
Jared Goff completed with simply 203 yards passing, although he had landing throws to Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta. Amon-Ra St. Brown was held to 45 yards receiving. Jahmyr Gibbs wanted 17 carries for 65 yards.
“That is a bodily staff, they usually have a mentality that they arrive in to play with, and we will match that mentality,” Mahomes stated. “We’re not afraid to go up towards anyone. That is the mentality Coach Reid brings each single day, and we will match the depth of whoever steps on that discipline.”
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Nate Taylor and The Related Press contributed to this report.