Bud Light Responds to NFL's Fine Against Kyle Juszczyk for 'Chugging' Celebration
The official NFL beer sponsor engaged with a post confirming 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk does not drink beer.
Bud Light, an official sponsor of the NFL, has commented on the league's decision to fine San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk nearly $15,000 for his signature "chugging" celebration.
The controversy arose after Juszczyk was penalized for his long-standing practice of mimicking the act of drinking beer, which he has stated is an imitation of drinking juice, referencing his nickname.
49ers tight end George Kittle, a teammate and friend of Juszczyk, confirmed that the fullback does not consume beer. In response to a social media post about the situation, Bud Light tweeted, "Can confirm Kittle DOES drink beer (and is also a good guy)."
The NFL's letter to Juszczyk stated that his imitation of chugging a beer "constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste." The fine of $14,926 was levied after Juszczyk's celebration during a game against the Miami Dolphins.
Juszczyk himself took to social media to highlight that this celebration has been a part of his routine for nearly his entire 15-season career, sharing past instances of him performing the same gesture.
The league's action has drawn criticism from fans who point to the NFL's partnership with Bud Light and the frequent airing of alcohol advertisements during games, questioning the consistency of the league's stance on player celebrations.