Kyle Juszczyk’s touchdown celebration turned into an expensive misunderstanding. His appeal cleared it up.
The NFL rescinded the 49ers fullback’s $14,926 fine after he explained that his celebration mimicked drinking a juice box, rather than a beer.
Juszczyk performed the gesture after catching a 6-yard touchdown pass against the Dolphins in Week 2. The league initially interpreted it as an alcohol-related celebration, as FanBuzz previously relayed.
His explanation had a personal connection: Juszczyk’s nickname is “The Juice.” He said his pads also featured the word “juice” and an image of a juice box during the game.
The appeals officer accepted his account and removed the entire fine.
Juszczyk had also questioned the league’s position, pointing out that beer is advertised during NFL broadcasts and sold at stadiums.
Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson successfully appealed a similar penalty.
Ferguson had been fined $13,611 for a celebration the league interpreted as mimicking someone shotgunning a beer. He maintained that he was imitating drinking Gatorade, a routine he had previously performed in practice.
His fine was erased, too.
Juszczyk received another favorable ruling when a separate fine involving a dangerous hit was reduced by approximately $4,000.
The touchdown celebration penalty, though, was wiped out completely. Juszczyk’s juice-box explanation saved him nearly $15,000.
