Home · Sports · Sep 24 archive
49ers' Juszczyk fined for 'offensive' act of pretending to chug beer
Confirmed
In Short: The league interpreted Juszczyk's celebration as mimicking the act of chugging a beer, which the NFL deemed inappropriate.
Juszczyk, nicknamed 'Juice,' explained to ESPN via text that he does not drink beer and that he was simply drinking his 'juice.
The fine comes after Juszczyk's touchdown celebration where he tilted his head and used his right hand, with his thumb extended, to mimic drinking a beverage.
Juszczyk, who has been with the 49ers since 2017, has been fined for this celebration for the first time in his career.
In a post on X, Juszczyk wrote, 'Can't make this stuff up...' and has since appealed the fine, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Tight end George Kittle, one of Juszczyk's best friends, responded to the fine on social media, confirming that Juszczyk does not really drink beer but is a good guy.
Juszczyk's celebration is an ode to his nickname 'Juice,' and he has been doing it for years.
The NFL fined Juszczyk for the celebration during the third quarter of the game, just under eight minutes left.
Juszczyk's fine adds to the ongoing debate about the NFL's stance on player celebrations and the league's interpretation of what constitutes an offensive demonstration.
Juszczyk has never been fined previously for the celebration.
The NFL fined Juszczyk for the same celebration during the Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.
Juszczyk is known for his clean eating and rarely drinks alcohol, especially during the season.
What's confirmed
- "Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste," the league wrote in its fine letter.
- San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk's wallet may be a bit lighter this week, as he was fined $14,926 for "engaging in an offensive demonstration" during the 49ers' 35-13 win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, per ESPN.
- He has never been fined previously for the celebration and told Schefter via text that, "I don't even drink beer." In a post to X written Thursday morning in response to the fine, Juszczyk wrote, simply "Can't make this stuff up..." Juszczyk is in his 10th season with the 49ers after signing as a free agent from the Baltimore Ravens in 2017.
- It wasn’t the first time Juszczyk has busted out the celebration during his career.
What's still developing
- Check out what happened at the end of the play, here: Kyle Juszczyk extends the @49ers ' lead MIAvsSF on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dpt6NfGpWy Brock Purdy's TD pass to Kyle Juszczyk looked familiar 👀 @49ers @insidetheNFL Week 2 Mic'd Up on X pic.twitter.com/CN1xjLK5lw Juszczyk told ESPN that he always celebrates touchdowns and first downs this way.
- He was issued a $20,033 fine for "impermissible use of the helmet" while lead-blocking for Christian McCaffrey. #49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk was fined $20,033 for use of the helmet on this lead block. pic.twitter.com/lY2Yh5x4Tx Maybe the NFL just has it out for the 49ers' fun fullback!
- Juszczyk is one of the most recongnizable fullbacks in the NFL today.
- According to the league, Juszczyk violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, when he did an "imitation of chugging a beer" with just under eight minutes left in the third quarter of the Niners' win against the Miami Dolphins.