NFL puts SF 49er Juszczyk's celebration on ice, say it looks like he's 'chugging a beer'

Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News on Sep 24, 2026

Published in Football

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The NFL has told 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk to put his touchdown celebration on ice because, the league said, it too closely resembles slamming down an adult beverage.

Juszczyk reportedly already is appealing the $14,926 fine issued this week by the league. The NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, told Juszczyk that he violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, when he did an “imitation of chugging a beer” after scoring a touchdown in the second half of the 49ers’ home win over the the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Juszczyk, whose nickname is “Juice,” has celebrated in that fashion throughout his 10-year 49ers career and never had been fined, explaining that he’s drinking his juice with the motion. Thursday, the 35-year-old also noted that “I don’t even drink beer” in a text to Schefter, who first reported the fine.

Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt wrote on X, “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?”

Later, Juszczyk wrote on social media, “Can’t make this stuff up…”

49ers teammate George Kittle kept the social media roll going by posting, “Can confirm he doesn’t really drink beer but is a good guy.” Kittle later posted a photo of Juszczyk in a pool with a photo-shopped beer in his hand and wrote, “He can’t be stopped!! This is before practice! Are you kidding me” and then replied to his own tweet with, “@NFL this guy is a menace”

The NFL obviously has multiple endorsement deals and collaborations with the adult beverage industry. But in announcing the fine, Shefter reported, it wrote that, Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.” The letter also reportedly said “players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the game and is consistent with NFL standards of sportsmanship.”

Juszczyk, whose post-TD gesture and subsequent fallout marks the biggest “scandal” of his 14-year NFL career, was also put on notice that further air beer-chugging could lead to a suspension.

Juszczyk was also fined after the 49ers’ the Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, a $20,033 penalty for “impermissible use of the helmet” during the game.

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