Kyle Juszczyk, 49ers teammates react to NFL celebration fine

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Kyle Juszczyk, 49ers teammates react to NFL celebration fine

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated Sep 24, 2026 6:47 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle spoke to the media in the locker room after Thursday's practice and wanted to make an opening statement before taking questions.

"I think we're gonna sign a petition to Juice's new nickname [being] 'Beer,'" Kittle said. "So, that's his new thing."

Kittle was reacting to the NFL's decision to fine fullback Kyle Juszczyk $14,926 following his touchdown celebration in the 49ers' Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins.

"Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste," the NFL told Juszczyk in a letter.

The problem is that Juszczyk has performed the celebration many times throughout his career. It is an ode to his nickname, "Juice," rather than an imitation of someone "chugging a beer."

Juszczyk made his own statement by placing a can labeled "Not Beer" at his locker.

The fullback also addressed the NFL's fine.

"I feel like there's already been so much put out there," Juszczyk said. "I don't know how else to say it: I wasn't drinking beer in my celebration. 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, and it's been that way for years, so I was as surprised as anybody when I got a fine this week for this past week."

#49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk set up a background for his media session today including a jug labeled "not beer" and one of his thigh pads that has a juice box on it. Here's the session… pic.twitter.com/eXXJlpC1zO— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 24, 2026

Quarterback Brock Purdy also weighed in on the situation. He was asked about Juszczyk's celebration and the resulting fine.

"I've seen Juice do his celebration for like five years, or however long I've been here," Purdy told reporters. "So, a little confused by the punishment he's dealing with."

Purdy said head coach Kyle Shanahan has emphasized being cautious with celebrations to avoid in-game or postgame penalties.

"Kyle does a good job of hitting stuff around the league with violent acts after scoring touchdowns or jumping on the goal posts or whatever," Purdy said. "And yeah, that never came up. And so, Juice—that's his name. He drinks the juice box after he makes big plays and stuff. So, I don't know. We're all confused, and it sucks, to be honest, for him."

Juszczyk noted the irony of the fine and admitted he wasn't even 100% sure he wasn't being pranked.

"I don't even drink beer," the fullback said. "I maybe drink like five times a year, in the offseason, and it's usually with George because he peer pressures me. So that's a whole other side to it."

Juszczyk said Shanahan delivered the news of the fine and seemed somewhat amused.

"Again, I thought he was messing with me," Juszczyk said.

Juszczyk has appealed the fine and revealed that his hearing is scheduled for Tuesday via video conference. He hopes to clear up the misunderstanding and have the bizarre fine overturned.

This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

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