The NFL has voided a $14,926 fine against San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk after he successfully argued the league misread his touchdown celebration as beer-drinking when it was actually a nod to his own nickname, “Juice.”
The fine was issued Sept. 24 for a celebration the league originally described as “an offensive demonstration” that could “reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.” Juszczyk appealed, and the hearing officer sided with him on a Zoom call Tuesday, according to ESPN.
Juszczyk’s defense was straightforward: he barely drinks, and his nickname is “Juice,” a name 49ers fans chant when he makes a play on the field.
“I don’t know how else to say it. I wasn’t drinking beer in my celebration,” Juszczyk said. “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.”
He also pointed out the obvious double standard, telling the league the fine was “hypocritical with the amount of Bud Light sponsorships surrounding the NFL.”
“I don’t even drink beer,” Juszczyk added. “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.”
The league ultimately agreed, noting his celebration was “simulating drinking a juice box” rather than alcohol.
The win comes at a rough time for Juszczyk otherwise. He suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, and an MRI on Monday showed a hyperextension and bone bruise. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Juszczyk will miss “a few weeks.”
For now, the celebration that started the whole dispute is on hold along with its maker.
