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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Law: Lion. I had the Lion’s head on my back before I got here.
Law: Cornbread casserole, if it’s a meal, or a banana pudding.
What would your entrance music be?
Do you have any hidden talents?
Law: No, I need help on that. It’s hidden. I haven’t found it yet.
How would you describe your job to a five-year-old?
If you weren’t playing football, what would you be doing?
Law: I’d definitely be a blue-collar worker. I am a licensed welder.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
If you could play a different NFL position, what would it be?
Law: Safety. I am an athlete, so even at Bama and Kentucky, I literally played everywhere. I’ve played everywhere on the field besides O-line and D-line.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
What is your favorite thing about Detroit so far?
Law: The people in Detroit are nice.
Fans pack Campus Martius for USA-Belgium World Cup match
USA fans pack Campus Martius in downtown Detroit for the World Cup Round of 16 match vs Belgium watch party hosted by Detroit City FC on July 6, 2026.
Another Team USA match in the World Cup means another party in downtown Detroit.
Hundreds of fans filled out Campus Martius Park ahead of Team USA’s Round of 16 match against Belgium. If USA wins at Lumen Field in Seattle, it’ll be its first time the Americans made the World Cup quarterfinals in more than 20 years.
This is the fifth Team USA watch party held by Detroit City Football Club for the World Cup.
One US soccer fan, Ankur Gupta, came with a red, white, and blue Einstein wig. Gupta said he hopes the fanfare at Campus Martius matches the in-person experience for Team USA matches.
“I went to the US-Seattle, US-Paraguay games, and they have this complete (expletive) show,” he said. “And it’s awesome.”
The conversation around tonight’s match has been dominated by FIFA’s last-minute decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play, nullifying a one-game suspension from his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With Balogun available, the USMNT has an improved shot to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, and only the second time ever.
Detroit watch party erups after USA goal vs. Belgium in World Cup
The downtown Detroit crowd reacts as USA’s Malik Tillman scores against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 match on July 6, 2026.
This story will be updated.
USA TODAY contributed.
Energy Storage Safety Products International (ESSPI), based in Newlab Detroit at Michigan Central, has launched Med Hawk, a new division of the company focused on bringing its ground-based transportation monitoring system to the skies.
With this launch, ESSPI will provide drone operators with insight and analytics when aircraft are transporting medical supplies beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
“The drone industry has built the foundation for incredible unmanned aircraft, but now ESSPI is working to demonstrate how we can make those same drones work for us,” says Ron Butler, CEO of ESSPI. “Using Med Hawk’s real-time data and monitoring systems, we are able to help ensure that medical supplies are delivered quickly and safely, ultimately helping to save lives.”
Med Hawk has partnered with Brighton autonomous drone logistics company Blueflite to demonstrate its drone battery monitoring and data logging capabilities and is utilizing the Michigan Central AAIR to replicate deliveries in real-world deployment scenarios.
“Blueflite is excited to work with ESSPI in flight testing their innovative and unique cold storage solution for medical logistics,” says Andrew Zeimen, program manager at Blueflite. “We are looking forward to flying with a Michigan designed and manufactured product on our mission to continue making drone delivery accessible to those that need it, where and when they need it most.”
ESSPI technology is built on the understanding that batteries often exhibit measurable environmental changes before catastrophic failure, the company says. Designed through three years of collaborative development with the U.S Department of Transportation, ESSPI’s DNOC framework — Detection, Notification, Operation, and Communication — allows Med Hawk to provide real-time visibility, data logging, and alerts so drone operators can take action before issues escalate.
Advanced aerial mobility is expanding access to medical deliveries, improving emergency response capabilities, and driving efficiencies across logistics and supply chains. Michigan Central and the Michigan Department of Transportation created AAIR to help scale these technologies, providing 28 square miles of dense, urban environment for testing and scaling new drone technologies into market-ready solutions.
“The diversification of ESSPI’s market offering showcases the transition we’re seeing many companies make, identification and commercialization of products which will make aerial mobility a viable platform to scale their business, while providing solutions for communities that better serve their needs,” says Matt Whitaker, director of the mobility innovation platform at Michigan Central. “What we are seeing with ESSPI and Blueflite is exactly what the Michigan Central ecosystem was built for. To create the foundation for talent and inspiring collaboration between member companies, leading to the next generation of advanced mobility innovation being born in Detroit.”
The collaboration is said to reflect broader momentum across Michigan Central’s aerial mobility ecosystem, which has supported more than 1,200 drone flights and multiple BVLOS deployments focused on logistics, infrastructure inspection, public safety, and delivery applications.
For more information about ESSPI, visit esspi.com/.
For more information about blueflite, visit blueflite.com/.
For more information about Michigan Central AAIR, visit here.
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