San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk is disputing a $14,926 fine from the NFL, which said his touchdown celebration resembled someone chugging a beer and could be seen as “in poor taste.” Juszczyk says the league got it wrong.
“I wasn’t drinking beer in my celebration,” Juszczyk told reporters at his locker. “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. When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice and it’s been that way for years.”
The NFL’s fine notice described the gesture — Juszczyk raising his hand to his mouth as if drinking — as “an offensive demonstration” that could “reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.”
Juszczyk pushed back on the idea he was even referencing alcohol. “That’s the other side of it, is I don’t even drink beer,” he 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, who has used the “Juice” nickname for years, found the situation amusing and floated a new name for his teammate. “I think we’re going to sign a petition,” Kittle said. “Juice’s new nickname is Beer now.”
Quarterback Brock Purdy said the celebration is nothing new and questioned why it’s only being flagged now. “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 added that head coach Kyle Shanahan has cautioned players about violent or excessive celebrations — including jumping on goal posts — but never singled out Juszczyk’s gesture. “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.”
Juszczyk said he learned of the fine from Shanahan rather than directly from the league. “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 the fine, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday over Zoom.
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