San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk will get back the $14,926 fine the NFL issued after a touchdown celebration the league initially deemed a beer-chugging gesture. The NFL rescinded the fine after Juszczyk appealed, explaining he was pretending to drink from a juice box, not beer.
Juszczyk, known by the nickname "Juice," caught a 6-yard touchdown pass during the 49ers’ 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. After scoring, he celebrated with teammates before turning to the crowd in the end zone and mimicking chugging a drink. The NFL interpreted the celebration as beer consumption, which led to the fine.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the league reversed its decision following Juszczyk’s appeal. In his letter, Juszczyk pointed out the contradiction between his fine and the NFL’s lucrative $250 million sponsorship deal with Anheuser-Busch InBev, the maker of Bud Light. The letter included the line, "Mr. Juszczyk finally stated that the fine is hypocritical with the amount of Bud Light sponsorships surrounding the NFL."
After the fine was initially reported, Juszczyk told reporters, "I don't know how else to say it: I wasn't drinking beer in my celebration. I think you guys all know my nickname is 'Juice.' I have juice on my pads. 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. So I was surprised as anybody when I got a fine this week."
The celebration had drawn attention not only because of the fine but also due to Juszczyk’s reputation on the field. His nickname and the playful gesture had become part of his identity among fans and teammates alike.
Juszczyk’s season, however, faces a setback. He hyperextended his knee during the same game against Miami and is expected to miss several weeks. This injury will keep him off the field for a period, limiting any further opportunities to add to his “juice box” celebrations this season.
The NFL’s decision to rescind the fine came shortly after Juszczyk’s explanation was made public, underlining the league’s sensitivity to player appeals and the context surrounding sponsorship arrangements. The 49ers fullback will now keep the money initially taken from his fine.
According to Yahoo Sports.