Jalen Hurts Calls Out Colts Star for ‘Glorifying Violence’ and ‘Staining God’s Name’ After Brian Branch vs JuJu Incident

Philadelphia, PA – October 16, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t even part of the Chiefs–Lions drama in Week 6 — but when Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin’s comments hit social media,

Jalen Hurts felt compelled to speak. Franklin had ignited outrage with a jaw-dropping post about the scuffle between Detroit safety Brian Branch and Kansas City wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, saying: “JuJu needed his ass whooped. … He been needing his ass whooped for a minute. Brian Branch doing the work of the Lord.”

What began as a heated on-field altercation quickly spiraled into one of the most divisive moments of the NFL season. Branch’s punch earned him a suspension, but Franklin’s words — blending mockery, violence, and religion — crossed a line many players couldn’t ignore. And Hurts, known league-wide for his calm leadership and moral conviction, decided to call it out.

Standing in front of reporters after Eagles practice, Hurts’ tone was measured but firm. “This game is about respect — not about glorifying violence,” he said. “When you start celebrating someone getting hurt, you lose what this sport is built on.”

It wasn’t anger in his voice — it was disappointment, the kind that cuts deeper than any headline.

But the Eagles quarterback went further when the “doing the work of the Lord” remark came up.

“Faith isn’t an excuse for hate,” Hurts said. “You don’t bring God’s name into something meant to hurt another man. That’s not strength — that’s confusion dressed as righteousness.” For Hurts, who openly speaks about his faith, the comment felt not only offensive, but spiritually hollow.

#Colts LB Zaire Franklin on the scuffle between #Lions S Brian Branch and #Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster:

“JuJu needed his ass whooped. … He been needing his ass whooped for a minute. Brian Branch (is) doing the work of the Lord.”
@club520podcast —> https://t.co/vHLrUUtQCj pic.twitter.com/GPZ1r8kuly — James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 15, 2025

Inside the Eagles locker room, teammates echoed their leader’s words. Wide receiver A.J. Brown posted #FaithOverViolence on X, while Jordan Mailata wrote,

“True warriors protect, not provoke.” The locker room’s unity mirrored its quarterback’s energy — firm, peaceful, and purpose-driven. One fan on social media summed it up perfectly: “Hurts didn’t preach to us — he reminded us what real leadership looks like.”

Franklin’s attempt to brush off criticism only fueled the fire. “Jalen acting like a preacher,” he wrote online. But fans — even outside Philly — quickly turned against him, calling the comment “tone-deaf” and “disrespectful to the game.” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in, saying,

“When Jalen Hurts checks you on morals, you listen — because that man walks what he talks.”

According to league sources, the NFL is reviewing Franklin’s comments under its “Conduct Detrimental” policy, with potential fines for “speech that promotes violence.” Former MVP Kurt Warner also weighed in, saying,

“If you think God wants you to hurt someone, you don’t know the God I know.” The story has since evolved beyond sports — into a debate about the soul of competition itself.

As practice wrapped, Hurts finished his day the way he always does — quietly, head bowed in prayer. “God doesn’t bless hate,” he said softly before walking off the field.

“He blesses effort, discipline, and love for the game.” And just like that, the quarterback turned a league-wide controversy into something greater — a reminder that even in football’s chaos, faith and respect still matter.

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Browns Fire Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees After Embarrassing Loss to Steelers

Cleveland, OH – October 14, 2025

The Cleveland Browns have officially fired offensive coordinator Tommy Rees

just one day after a dismal 23–9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers — a move that reflects growing frustration inside Berea with an offense that has failed to deliver through six weeks.

Cleveland’s offensive struggles reached a breaking point Sunday afternoon. The Browns failed to score a single touchdown, settling for three field goals despite multiple trips inside Steelers territory. Rookie quarterback

Shedeur Sanders endured his roughest outing of the season, completing just 18 of 35 passes for 161 yards with an interception, while the offensive line allowed four sacks and looked overmatched against

T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh’s relentless pass rush.

The loss dropped Cleveland to 2–4, and once again exposed the unit’s lack of rhythm, creativity, and confidence. Fans inside Cleveland Browns Stadium voiced their frustration loudly as drives stalled and turnovers erased scoring chances. According to multiple sources, head coach

Kevin Stefanski met privately with team owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry after the game before making the decision to relieve Rees of his duties early Monday morning.

“We weren’t finishing drives, and that comes back to preparation and execution,” Stefanski said in a brief statement. “I respect Tommy and the work he’s put in, but our offense hasn’t been performing to the standard we expect. The accountability starts with coaching.”

Rees, 33, was promoted to offensive coordinator this offseason after serving as Cleveland’s tight ends coach in 2024. His hiring was seen as a push toward innovation — a youthful mind with a modern playbook designed to maximize Sanders’ dual-threat ability. Instead, through six games, the Browns rank

30th in total offense and last in red-zone efficiency, averaging just 13.8 points per game.

The Steelers’ defeat was the final straw. Cleveland mustered just 214 total yards

and went 0-for-3 inside the red zone, looking disorganized and flat in crucial moments. Sanders showed flashes early in the season but has regressed behind a collapsing pocket and inconsistent protection.

Stefanski will reportedly take over play-calling duties effective immediately while assistant coaches Stump Mitchell and T.C. McCartney assist in reshaping the offense ahead of Week 7. Early speculation around possible replacements includes

Ken Dorsey and Brian Johnson, both respected offensive minds with NFL play-calling experience.

For a team built on elite defense and high expectations, patience has run out. The Browns’ message is clear — mediocrity on offense will no longer be tolerated. As the locker room resets, all eyes now turn to

Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterback expected to respond with the resilience and fire that once made him one of college football’s most electric leaders.