Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions’ Brian Branch talks suspension, spiritual milestone, team leadership ahead of playoff push
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch described the difficulty of missing the Monday Night Football game due to suspension, but expressed relief and motivation upon returning to the field.
“It was very difficult just being out there with my guys, my brothers. I wasn’t able to help contribute to a win, but I’m glad we got the W,” said Branch.
Branch admitted he couldn’t bring himself to watch the game while sidelined, saying, “Watching them would make me miss being out there. That’s something that’s hard. I would be eager to get out there.”
He praised his teammates for wearing his jersey during his absence.
“I love them. They notice where I stand with them. I die out there for those boys. I play as hard as I can to help us. I scratch and claw. I’ll go to war with them pretty much,” Branch said.
Reflecting on his suspension, Branch took responsibility and expressed regret.
“I want to apologize for that. That’s something I don’t condone, and it’ll never happen again. It definitely added another chip to my shoulder,” Branch said.
When asked about balancing his fiery nature on the field, Branch said, “I get caught playing with too much emotion, and that brought me to that. I still play with fire, but just between the whistle. Now we’re going on the playoff run, so none of that.”
Branch shared how he’s learning to control his emotions, with guidance from coaches.
“They try to pick at me during plays to get me out of my shell, but they tell me to still play with fire and just not retaliate. Play between the whistle,” Branch said.
Branch also revealed he talks to a counselor, humorously mentioning, “I talked to where I take my dog for boarding. His name is Mr. Preacher, and he’s helped me a long way.”
He announced a personal milestone: “I actually get baptized this Wednesday.”
Branch appreciated the coaching staff’s public support during his suspension.
“It means a lot. I feel like I shot our team in the foot with what I did, and for them to have my back, I love them for that. I go to war for them any day of the week,” Branch said.
Looking ahead to his return, Branch promised fans “relentless effort and aggression.”
Branch also praised teammates who stepped up in his absence, saying, “The whole secondary played better than we played all year. I was too eager to get back out.”
On his baptism, Branch shared, “I feel like I got a new relief. I feel like I need to be saved by God. I’ve been going through a time like that. It’s a new relief.”
Branch clarified that the baptism was not prompted by the suspension but was perfect timing.
He said the baptism will be performed by “Mr. Preacher,” the preacher at the place where he boards his dog, and it is scheduled for Wednesday.
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Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.
Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.
“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”
Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.
Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.
Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.
“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”
“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.
“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Desmond Burks’ murder trial starts this week. On Monday, he attended his pre-trial hearing. Burks faces first-degree murder, felony murder and larceny charges in the death of Dr. Devon Hoover.
The prominent Detroit neurosurgeon was found dead in his attic in April 2023 after Detroit police performed a wellness check. Investigators said he had been shot twice in the head and his body was wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet.
Watch Darren Cunningham’s video report below:
Trial set to begin in Dr. Devon Hoover murder case
At the pre-trial, Judge Paul Cusick set the tone for how he expects the trial to go. It could last several weeks, according to court administration.
“Obviously, there’s always been respect shown to this court by the defendant and attorneys in this case, and all of the witnesses need to show the respect that is going to be required. There will be no outburst from any witnesses or anyone else during the proceedings,” the judge said.
Cusick discussed scheduling for the trial, starting with jury selection Wednesday and outlined restrictions for news media.
“Media is prohibited from showing and/or publishing the faces of any civilian witnesses not employed by the government,” he read.
WXYZ
Those same restrictions were in place during the preliminary hearing.
At the prelim, a number of people testified that they were former lovers of Desmond Burks.
Those men and women described Burks as a hustler and said he would send them money from an unknown Cash App and then have them send the money back to his Cash App.
Watch our coverage of the third day of the preliminary hearing below:
Day 3 concludes in Desmond Burks’ preliminary hearing in murder of Dr. Devon Hoover
Burks is accused of stealing more than $30,000 from Hoover via credit card and fraudulent bank transactions, and Burks allegedly used other people to execute his plan.
Investigators said text messages revealed Burks had an intimate relationship with Hoover and was sometimes paid for sexual services.
Watch our coverage of the second day of the preliminary hearing below:
Mystery backpack focus of testimony during day 2 of Hoover preliminary hearing
Testimony from the prelim also revealed that authorities zeroed in on Burks, in part, through cellphone records and surveillance footage involving Hoover’s stolen truck.
During the trial, we may hear from a close relative of Burks who identified him in surveillance footage during the prelim. The footage allegedly shows Burks walking away from Hoover’s stolen vehicle.
Watch our coverage of the first day of the preliminary hearing below:
Preliminary hearing begins for man charged with killing Dr. Devon Hoover
The jury selection process is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
A situation believed to involve a barricaded suspect in Ypsilanti has resulted in evacuations for some neighbors and shelter-in-place orders for others as authorities attempt to bring an end to the standoff.
Police were seen inside the home Monday morning, but the suspect involved has not left the building.
Neighbors told CBS Detroit the circumstances began with a wellness check around noon Sunday. Since then, multiple law enforcement vehicles, including a SWAT team, have been in the area.
The street is closed to traffic in the meantime.
CBS News Detroit has a crew on scene. Additional details will be provided on air and online when they are available.
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