San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk has been fined $14,926 for a touchdown celebration during the team's Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins, with the NFL calling the gesture an offensive demonstration that could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste. Juszczyk pretended to chug a beverage, a move the league says resembled imitating a beer chug. He has already appealed.
The fine stems from a celebration NBC Sports reports Juszczyk has performed before, tying it to his longtime nickname, “Juice,” rather than any nod to alcohol. San Francisco beat Miami 35-13 in that Week 2 matchup, according to Niners Wire, which noted Juszczyk broke out his signature move after a 21-yard reception during the victory. A separate account from Yahoo Sports ties the celebration instead to a 6-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that extended San Francisco's lead to 28-6, and the discrepancy between the two accounts has not been independently resolved.
Juszczyk Pushes Back on the League's Read
Juszczyk did not hide his frustration with how the NFL characterized the gesture. He shared his reaction directly with reporter Adam Schefter, telling him, “And I don't even drink beer!” according to the seed facts underlying this report. The fullback's celebration, as multiple outlets note, involves pantomiming a drink in a nod to his “Juice” nickname rather than any actual beverage.
The NFL's language in the fine notice was blunt. Per the league's explanation relayed by NBC Sports, officials told Juszczyk that “your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.”
An Appeal Now Headed to a Binding Ruling
Juszczyk has already appealed the fine, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. That outlet reports the case will now go before a jointly appointed appeals officer who will review the play and issue a decision. Collected fines are ultimately donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation.
The timing and outcome of Juszczyk's specific appeal have not yet been reported. What is clear is that this marks his first fine tied specifically to the chugging celebration itself, even though he has performed the same gesture throughout his career without previous punishment, as Yahoo Sports has reported. The station's report also notes this is Juszczyk's sixth NFL fine over the last three seasons.
Juszczyk's NFL Career
Juszczyk has had a 14-year NFL career, per Yahoo Sports. At 35 years old, he is still performing the same juice-chugging routine that has become a signature of his time with the 49ers — just one the league is now scrutinizing more closely than ever.
