NFL fans are losing their minds after Patrick Mahomes — yes, Mahomes! — was hit with a massive $200,000 fine following the post-game brawl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions that shocked the entire league.
And here’s the kicker: he didn’t even throw a punch.
According to multiple reports, the chaotic scene erupted after Mahomes attempted to shake hands with Lions safety Brian Branch, who coldly refused the gesture and walked away. Moments later, when JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped in to calm things down, Branch turned around and slapped him across the helmet, sending JuJu crashing to the ground.
That’s when all hell broke loose.
Players swarmed the field, shouting, shoving, and nearly coming to blows. Coaches and referees rushed in, but the scene had already spiraled into pure mayhem. One assistant coach was reportedly knocked over in the chaos.
Witnesses say Mahomes didn’t initiate any violence — he was seen shouting in frustration and trying to separate teammates. But according to the NFL’s official statement released Monday morning, the league deemed Mahomes “an active participant in escalating the confrontation”, citing “unsportsmanlike conduct” and “failure to de-escalate.”
The fine? A jaw-dropping $200,000.
“This is insane,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “Mahomes literally tried to shake hands. The guy gets slapped, and he’s the one paying for it???”
Even NFL analysts are baffled.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith blasted the decision live on air:
“You’re telling me Patrick Mahomes — the face of the league — gets fined for showing sportsmanship? This is ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Brian Branch is reportedly under investigation for the slap but has not been fined — at least not yet. Lions insiders claim Branch “felt disrespected earlier in the game,” while Chiefs teammates say Mahomes “was just trying to keep things cool.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster has remained silent, though sources close to him revealed he was “still sore and furious” after the incident.
As of now, the Chiefs organization has appealed the fine, calling it “an outrageous misinterpretation of events.” But insiders say the league is standing firm — meaning Mahomes might actually have to pay up.
So to recap:
- Mahomes tried to shake hands.
- Branch refused.
- Branch slapped JuJu.
- A fight broke out.
- Mahomes gets fined $200K.
Welcome to the NFL — where sometimes being the good guy still costs you a fortune.
Social media reaction has been nuclear:
💬 “NFL protecting the wrong guy again.”
💬 “Branch slaps JuJu, Mahomes fined — make it make sense.”
💬 “That’s $200K for being too classy, I guess.”
