NFL Rescinds Fine for 49ers Player's 'Juice' Celebration After Misinterpretation
The league reversed its decision after realizing the player was mimicking drinking juice, not beer, prompting a retraction of the $14,926 penalty.
The National Football League has rescinded a $14,926 fine issued to San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, admitting it misinterpreted his touchdown celebration. The league initially penalized Juszczyk for what it believed was a beer-drinking gesture, but later acknowledged he was simulating drinking juice, a nod to his nickname "Juice."
The NFL announced its retraction on Wednesday, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. According to Schefter's post on X, the league stated it was withdrawing the fine because "his celebration was simulating drinking a juice box, not a beer." The statement also noted Juszczyk's assertion that the fine was hypocritical given the NFL's sponsorship deals with Anheuser-Busch, makers of Bud Light.
This decision marks a notable reversal for the league on a player-centric issue. Juszczyk, whose wife Kristin is a prominent figure in NFL circles for her custom outerwear designs, was fined following a game on September 20, 2026. The 49ers, who are currently undefeated with a 4-0 record, are facing a period without Juszczyk due to a knee sprain he sustained in the previous week's game against the Denver Broncos, an injury expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks.