Why did the NFL rescind Kyle Juszczyk’s $14,926 fine after calling his 49ers celebration a beer chug

Kyle Juszczyk was fined $14,926 for a celebration the NFL believed showed him chugging beer. Two weeks later, the league decided it had read the moment wrong.The San Francisco 49ers fullback won his appeal after arguing that the celebration referenced his longtime “Juice” nickname. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the NFL rescinded the fine after determining Juszczyk was simulating drinking from a juice box.Why did the NFL rescind Kyle Juszczyk’s $14,926 celebration fine?The issue began during San Francisco’s Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 20.Juszczyk used the celebration twice during the game, including after a 6-yard touchdown. The NFL fined him Sept. 23 for “engaging in offensive demonstrations,” according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.The league believed Juszczyk had performed an “imitation of chugging a beer.”Juszczyk immediately disputed that interpretation.His nickname has been “Juice” for years, and he regularly celebrates by mimicking drinking juice. He even has a juice box printed on one of his thigh pads.During a Sept. 24 media session, Juszczyk placed a jug marked “Not Beer” near his locker while explaining the celebration.“When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice and it’s been that way for years,” Juszczyk said.He also challenged the logic of the punishment even under the NFL’s original interpretation.“Even if it was beer, I don't think that should be a problem with all the beer endorsements that we have in the NFL,” Juszczyk said. “We have everything. So even if it was beer, which it wasn't, I still felt like it wasn't an infraction.”Juszczyk took the same argument into his appeal.Schefter reported Wednesday that the league withdrew the fine “because his celebration was simulating drinking a juice box, not a beer.”The league’s explanation also referenced Juszczyk’s argument that the punishment was hypocritical because of the NFL’s Bud Light sponsorships.That distinction matters. The NFL did not simply reduce the penalty. It determined that the action it had punished was not what Juszczyk was doing in the first place.What does Kyle Juszczyk’s reversal mean for the NFL’s other drinking celebration fines?Juszczyk’s successful appeal creates an obvious question about similar fines.NBC Sports reported that Indianapolis Colts guard Matt Goncalves was also fined for mimicking a drinking celebration. As of Wednesday, there had been no reported change to his punishment.That does not mean the two cases will receive the same outcome. Juszczyk had a specific defense tied to his nickname, his previous celebrations and the juice-box imagery he already uses.His case also produced an unexpected result away from the league office.According to ESPN, multiple brands contacted Juszczyk after the fine became public. Ocean Spray later signed him to a partnership and announced plans to give away 14,926 bottles of juice, matching the exact dollar amount of the rescinded fine.The number that originally represented Juszczyk’s punishment is now part of a sponsorship campaign built around the same celebration.For the NFL, the appeal closed one dispute but left the broader policy under a brighter light. Juszczyk argued that his celebration was about juice. The league ultimately agreed with that part.Whether other players fined for similar gestures can make the same case is still unresolved.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.