Kyle Juszczyk, the San Francisco 49ers fullback nicknamed “Juice,” has been fined $14,926 by the NFL for a touchdown celebration the league says imitates chugging a beer. Juszczyk responded by explaining that his celebration is about his nickname — and that he barely drinks beer at all.
The league sent Juszczyk an email telling him the celebration could “reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.” Juszczyk disagreed. Speaking to reporters around his locker stall, he said the whole thing had been misunderstood.
Juszczyk’s Explanation
Juszczyk raised his hand to his mouth after scoring a touchdown, mimicking drinking something. The NFL decided that something was beer. Juszczyk said otherwise.
“I wasn’t drinking beer in my celebration,” Juszczyk said. “I think you guys all know my nickname is ‘Juice.’ I have juice inscribed on my pads, and the stadium yells, ‘Juice’ when I catch the ball.”
He added: “When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice and it’s been that way for years.”
The Fine Details
The $14,926 fine is for what the league described as “an offensive demonstration.” Shanahan found out about the fine first and told Juszczyk early Thursday morning. Juszczyk initially thought it was a joke.
“When Kyle told me that during breakfast, I thought maybe he was just messing with me,” Juszczyk said. “But it’s real.”
Juszczyk confirmed he is appealing, as OutKick reported earlier. The appeal hearing is scheduled for Tuesday via Zoom.
What His Teammates Think
His teammates are not impressed with the decision. Kittle, who has called Juszczyk by his nickname for years, found the whole episode funny.
“I think we’re going to sign a petition,” Kittle said. “Juice’s new nickname is Beer now.”
Purdy, the Niners quarterback, has seen the celebration for years and cannot understand why it suddenly drew a fine.
“Yeah, I’ve seen Juice do his celebration for like five years,” Purdy said. “So I’m a little confused about that punishment he’s dealing with.”
Purdy said Shanahan has warned players about violent acts in their celebrations or jumping on the goal post — looking at you, Stefon Diggs — but the Juszczyk celebration was never mentioned.
“Juice, that’s his name, he drinks a juice box after scoring a touchdown,” Purdy said. “We’re all confused and it stinks to be honest for him.”
The League’s Position
Jumping to the conclusion that the intent was to drink alcohol, and specifically beer, was a leap.
Juszczyk confirmed he is appealing, as OutKick reported earlier. The appeal hearing is scheduled for Tuesday via Zoom.
Why This Is Ridiculous
Juszczyk rarely drinks beer. He said he may drink it five times a year, and only in the offseason, usually with teammate George Kittle, who “peer pressures” him.
“That’s the other side of it, is I don’t even drink beer,” Juszczyk said. “I may be drinking like five times a year and always in the offseason, and it’s usually with [teammate] George [Kittle] because he peer pressures me.”
Kittle found the whole episode quite funny. Maybe because it is ridiculous.
The league’s interpretation of the celebration as beer-chugging was a stretch, even for a league that is awash in beer sponsorships. Juszczyk’s explanation is simple: he drinks juice because his nickname is Juice.
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Fine communicated | Early Thursday morning |
| Appeal hearing | Tuesday via Zoom |
- Juszczyk said he wasn’t drinking beer
- The celebration mimics drinking something
- The fine amount is $14,926
The appeal will settle it, but the story already has a winner: the man whose nickname is Juice.
Source material: “Kyle Juszczyk responds to beer fine by explaining in detail his celebration is about his nickname – Juice,” Fox News.
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