Kyle Juszczyk had a pointed response after the NFL fined him $14,926 for a celebration it interpreted as pretending to drink beer.
“And I don’t even drink beer!” the San Francisco 49ers fullback told ESPN’s Adam Schefter in a text, according to the reporter.
49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk has celebrated touchdowns and first downs his entire NFL career in his own chugging way, an ode to his nickname “Juice”. This is the first time he has been fined. “And I don’t even drink beer!” he texted. https://t.co/wEUOvsffYj pic.twitter.com/muXZTaXUjd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2026
Schefter reported the fine Thursday, sharing the league’s explanation that Juszczyk’s gesture amounted to an offensive demonstration. The NFL described it as an “imitation of chugging a beer” that could be viewed as being “in poor taste.”
Juszczyk’s explanation centers on his nickname, “Juice.” Schefter reported that the fullback has used the celebration for years and had never previously been fined for that gesture.
Can’t make this stuff up… https://t.co/GPuZ81wYD5
— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) September 24, 2026
“Can’t make this stuff up…” Juszczyk wrote on X.
The celebration followed his six-yard touchdown reception against Miami on Sunday. Juszczyk finished the 35-13 victory with two catches for 27 yards, including his first touchdown of the 2026 season.
Kyle Juszczyk extends the @49ers' lead
MIAvsSF on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dpt6NfGpWy— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
J.J. Watt and Jason Kelce question Kyle Juszczyk’s fine
The disagreement is over the meaning the NFL assigned to the celebration. Juszczyk’s account ties it to his nickname, while the league’s explanation specifically identifies beer.
J.J. Watt challenged that interpretation on X, asking why a player known as Juice could not reasonably be understood to be drinking juice. Jason Kelce also defended Juszczyk, joking that he should threaten a defamation countersuit over the league’s assumption about the drink.
I’m just going to go out on a limb here…
For a guy whose nickname is Juice, could it not be “reasonably construed” that he is drinking… stay with me here… Juice?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 24, 2026
Juszczyk should threaten to counter sue for defamation. How dare the NFL allege false accusations. No way they can prove he was chugging alcohol. He was chugging that “juice” https://t.co/gHkmy0Y1Uc
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) September 24, 2026
Juszczyk was not the only player penalized for a similar gesture. Schefter also reported Thursday that Indianapolis Colts guard Matt Goncalves received an $8,847 fine for a celebration the NFL likewise characterized as imitating beer drinking.
More: Colts guard Matt Goncalves also was fined $8,847 for engaging Sunday night in what the NFL called an offensive demonstration. “Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration…in poor taste.” After Tyler Warren scored, he gave the football to… pic.twitter.com/7y50i79uXt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2026
That second penalty broadens the issue beyond Juszczyk’s nickname. Both players were fined over the same type of gesture, although those two reports alone do not establish that the NFL has introduced a new celebration policy.
Juszczyk has appealed the penalty
Juszczyk has already challenged the fine. Under the NFL’s appeals process, an officer jointly appointed by the league and NFL Players Association reviews the play and considers both sides.
The resulting decision is binding; if the fine is rescinded, the money is not taken from the player’s paycheck.
For Juszczyk, that makes the interpretation of his familiar celebration more than a social media argument. His appeal gives him a formal opportunity to contest a penalty that currently stands at $14,926.
