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What's that green thing sticking out of Brian Branch's helmet?
Nolan Bianchi
The Detroit News
Allen Park — At long last, we finally have an answer to why Detroit Lions rookie Brian Branch has a green mouthpiece sticking out of his helmet.
Branch, the No. 45 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, explained Tuesday that he's kept the green mouthpiece in one of the holes of his helmet since college.
"Just really like, I'll put it up there because I can't really breathe with it in," Branch said. "The green, I've always pretty much wore a green mouthpiece. It has a deeper meaning, but I can't really share."
Lions fans started to take notice of the mouthguard early on in his tenure, but it grabbed national attention as of late, starting with his pick-six of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the opener, and became the calling card of his on-field aesthetic. It's likely to only pick up more steam, as Branch continues to establish himself in the league. Last Sunday against Atlanta, he had a game-high 11 tackles with three for loss.
There is nothing about the look that Branch likes, specifically. It's just where he likes to put it.
"Shoot, I guess that's probably gonna be my little trademark about something," Branch said.
Asked if he ever wears the mouthpiece, Branch said not really. He said he sometimes wears it more against running teams, when he knows he's going to be hitting a lot. Or that would be the plan, anyway.
"I thought I was going to put it in this week because they ran the ball a lot," Branch said. "But nah, if I didn't put it in this week, I probably won't put it in. Yeah, that was a running team, so, I guess not."
Fans have started to imply that it could be an antenna for knowing where to make the plays. He didn't deny it.
"It could be," he said.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
X: @nolanbianchi
Nolan Bianchi
The Detroit News
Allen Park — At long last, we finally have an answer to why Detroit Lions rookie Brian Branch has a green mouthpiece sticking out of his helmet.
Branch, the No. 45 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, explained Tuesday that he's kept the green mouthpiece in one of the holes of his helmet since college.
"Just really like, I'll put it up there because I can't really breathe with it in," Branch said. "The green, I've always pretty much wore a green mouthpiece. It has a deeper meaning, but I can't really share."
Lions fans started to take notice of the mouthguard early on in his tenure, but it grabbed national attention as of late, starting with his pick-six of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the opener, and became the calling card of his on-field aesthetic. It's likely to only pick up more steam, as Branch continues to establish himself in the league. Last Sunday against Atlanta, he had a game-high 11 tackles with three for loss.
There is nothing about the look that Branch likes, specifically. It's just where he likes to put it.
"Shoot, I guess that's probably gonna be my little trademark about something," Branch said.
Asked if he ever wears the mouthpiece, Branch said not really. He said he sometimes wears it more against running teams, when he knows he's going to be hitting a lot. Or that would be the plan, anyway.
"I thought I was going to put it in this week because they ran the ball a lot," Branch said. "But nah, if I didn't put it in this week, I probably won't put it in. Yeah, that was a running team, so, I guess not."
Fans have started to imply that it could be an antenna for knowing where to make the plays. He didn't deny it.
"It could be," he said.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
X: @nolanbianchi
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