NFL Rescinds Fine Against 49ers Fullback Kyle Juszczyk Over Juice Celebration

The National Football League rescinded a $14,926 fine imposed on San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk for an offensive demonstration involving an imitation of chugging a beer during a Week 2 game against the Miami Dolphins, league representatives confirmed on Oct. 7, 2026. The 49ers blew out the Dolphins, 35-13, on Sunday, a game in which Juszczyk recorded two catches for 27 yards.

San Francisco 49ers Fullback Fought Fine

The NFL initially penalized Juszczyk on Sept. 23, 2026, citing a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 concerning unsportsmanlike conduct. The league added in its notice that further offenses would result in escalating disciplinary action, up to and including suspension. Juszczyk, who is in his 14th year in the league and serves as a 10-time Pro Bowl player, posted about the penalty on X, writing that he could not make it up.

During a meeting with reporters at the team practice facility in Santa Clara, California, Juszczyk expressed surprise over the penalty. He stated that his nickname is Juice, that his pads feature the word, and that the stadium crowd yells his moniker when he catches the ball. When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice, and it’s been the way for years, Juszczyk said, adding that he thought 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was joking when he first delivered the news. Before beginning his media session, Juszczyk placed a jug labeled in big letters “Not Beer” and a thigh pad emblazoned with a juice box on his locker as a backdrop, while noting that he only drinks beer about five times a year in the offseason, usually due to peer pressure from George Kittle.

NFL Players Face Fines for Celebration Antics

Former NFL player J.J. Watt weighed in on the decision on social media, asking how the league could fail to recognize that a player nicknamed Juice might be pretending to consume juice.

Additional coverage from ESPN noted that Juszczyk was not the only player penalized for similar actions during the season. Indianapolis Colts guard Matt Goncalves received an $8,847 fine for a similar celebration after tight end Tyler Warren scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was fined $13,611 for pretending to shotgun a beer against the Washington Commanders. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals also faced scrutiny over a celebration modeled after a professional wrestling move, which Chase stated was an homage to “The People’s Elbow,” a move popularized by WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

49ers Teammates Rename Juszczyk as Beer

The hearing for both matters was scheduled for a Tuesday doubleheader. Meanwhile, 49ers tight end George Kittle joked with reporters that teammates planned to change Juszczyk’s nickname to Beer following the incident.

Juice’s new nickname is Beer now. That’s his new thing. As a team, we voted on that today.

George Kittle