In a moment that doesn’t come around all that often, San Francisco 49ers fullback extraordinaire Kyle Juszczyk found his way into the end zone for a touchdown on Sunday.
It came at the expense of the Miami Dolphins, who were in the midst of being blown out by the ‘Niners, but what it led to next is particularly bizarre.
Juszczyk did his signature touchdown celebration, which involves him pantomiming having a drink. It’s always been known by those close to the 49ers that Juszczyk is acting as if he’s drinking juice, because his nickname is “Juice.”
Someone didn’t tell the NFL that, though.
For the first time, Juszczyk was fined for that celebration.
Why Was Kyle Juszczyk Fined?
Kyle Juszczyk was fined by the NFL because he engaged in an “offensive demonstration.”
“Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste,” the NFL wrote.
Juszczyk has appealed.
The fine would total $14,926.
NFL fined 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk $14,926 for engaging in an offensive demonstration Sunday vs. Miami. “Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste,” the NFL wrote in its fine letter.… pic.twitter.com/0ERUN30MN8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2026
It’s clearly not that big a monetary total, and it seems to be more about the principle for Juszczyk.
Kyle Juszczyk Shares Thoughts
Juszczyk texted NFL insider Adam Schefter to remark that he doesn’t even drink beer:
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
ESPN’s 49ers beat reporter, Nick Wagoner, also weighed in and called it “absolutely wild”:
An absolutely wild fine clearly handed down by someone who hasn’t seen this celebration many, many times over the years with Juszczyk simply drinking his “Juice.” https://t.co/rRjJ4ITgFs
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 24, 2026
Given the quick public backlash here, it wouldn’t be shocking for the NFL to take back the fine, although that hasn’t happened yet.
There’s also a chance they take a stand because they don’t like the optics of what Juszczyk is doing, even if he and those around the 49ers know and believe it to be totally fine.
The league likely does have to consider how others will interpret the celebration and not just what the intention is of the guy they call “Juice.”
Still, this fine has clearly upset some people. It could backfire on the NFL for finally deciding to do something about a celebration that Juszczyk has already done a number of times.
Kyle Juszczyk’s TD Celebration vs. Dolphins Leads to ‘Wild’ NFL Fine