Kyle Juszczyk is fighting an NFL fine stemming from his touchdown celebration during the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 2 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Juszczyk has already appealed the $14,926 fine, with a league source confirming his decision to The Athletic.
According to the report, the NFL classified the fullback’s celebration as an “offensive demonstration” after interpreting his gesture as pretending to drink alcohol.
“Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste,” the NFL wrote to Juszczyk.
Juszczyk, however, maintains that his longtime celebration is not supposed to represent beer at all.
The veteran’s nickname is “Juice,” and he has used the gesture for years after touchdowns and first downs to imitate drinking from a juice box. According to Schefter, this is the first time Juszczyk has been fined for the celebration. “And I don’t even drink beer!” Juszczyk texted Schefter.
One detail that may have contributed to the misunderstanding is that Juszczyk had previously extended his pinky while performing the same celebration. However, a recent hand injury has required him to tape that finger to the rest of his hand, preventing him from making his usual gesture.
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
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Juszczyk scored a six-yard touchdown in San Francisco’s 35-13 victory over Miami, finishing with two receptions for 27 yards.
This marks Juszczyk’s second fine of the season. He received a $20,033 fine for wrongly using his helmet to lead-block for McCaffrey during San Francisco’s Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.
The 49ers improved to 2-0 with Sunday’s victory and will try to remain unbeaten when they face NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 27.
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