49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was subjected to a bizarre piece of league discipline this week as he was fined for his touchdown celebration in San Francisco’s blowout win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
The NFL hit Juszczyk with a $14,926 fine for what the league claimed to be a “beer-chugging” celebration following his receiving score in the third quarter, which put the 49ers up 28-6.
In a letter to Juszczyk, the league said: “Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration
and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.”
The punishment makes little sense, given “Juice” is Juszczyk’s nickname and he has celebrated in that fashion — mimicking drinking from a juice carton — for many years.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news and said that he received a text from Juszczyk that read: “And I don’t even drink beer!”
That assertion was backed up tight end George Kittle, who replied to Schefter’s post on X(formerly Twitter): “Can confirm he doesn’t really drink beer but is a good guy.”
And Juszczyk is not about to just accept the punishment, with Schefter adding that Juszczyk has already appealed against the fine.
The veteran Juszczyk, now in his 14th season in the league and 10th with San Francisco, is unlikely to lose any sleep over the fine.
But it’s a matter of principle as the league office has clearly misunderstood Juszczyk’s long-time celebration. Hopefully, common sense prevails when the NFL looks at his appeal.
