49ers' Kyle Juszczyk Trolls NFL Fine for 'Drinking' Celebration

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk responded to an NFL fine for an unusual on-field celebration by trolling the league with a prop water bottle labeled "Not Beer." Juszczyk was fined $14,926 for "engaging in an offensive demonstration" after imitating "chugging a beer" during the team's recent game against the Miami Dolphins.

Juszczyk, who received the notification of the fine this week, expressed surprise, stating that his celebration was not for beer but for "juice," referencing his nickname "Juice." He explained that the gesture has been a long-standing part of his celebrations for years. "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’ on my pads, the stadium yells ‘Juice’ when I catch the ball; when I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice. It’s been that way for years."

The fine and Juszczyk's defense quickly drew attention and criticism from fellow players and analysts. Teammate George Kittle publicly supported Juszczyk, confirming that he "doesn't really drink beer." Ja'Marr Chase, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, also voiced his discontent, noting that he too had been fined for a celebration. "I think this is where the superstars have to get in with the NFLPA and fight for our money," Chase stated. "If he’s getting fined for doing a drinking juice gesture, then I’m getting fined for an elbow and doing the first down thing, I mean, I can’t really do much about it."

Former NFL player J.J. Watt also questioned the league's decision on social media, suggesting that given Juszczyk's nickname, the gesture could have been reasonably interpreted as drinking juice. Juszczyk, who was also fined $20,033 for an illegal helmet block in Week 1, plans to appeal the fines at a hearing scheduled for the following week.

To emphasize his point and to lighten the mood, Juszczyk presented reporters with a water bottle wrapped in tape and marked "Not Beer" during a media availability. Kittle humorously suggested that "Juice's" new nickname might become "Beer" as a result of the incident.