National Football League

Pats' Branch rips 'classless' Jets

Published Jan. 17, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Branch, a nine-year veteran, said some Jets players were taunting Patriots fans after the game, including giving the New England faithful the finger, according to the Herald.

“I think the embarrassing part came after the game, with some of the classless guys they have on their football team,” Branch said when asked if he was embarrassed by the loss.

“That’s their style. You have to expect that. They’re going to do that from now until they’re gone. Half the guys on the field, it was shameful, the guys with no class, that stuff comes back to bite you.”

Branch put off coming across as a sore loser after the shocking defeat, saying he shook hands with several Jets players afterward.

“They beat us today,” Branch said. “They beat us when it mattered. The ones with class, I shook their hands. The other ones, I didn’t. For them to act like that, you can tell they’re not used to being in this position.”

The Jets advanced to their second consecutive AFC Championship Game with their win over New England. They now head into Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Sunday for a chance to play in Super Bowl XLV.