It’s been a costly week for San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk. The 10-time Pro Bowler caught two passes for 27 yards and a touchdown in Week 2’s 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins, and now he had just as many fines from that game as he had receptions. The NFL released its list of weekly fines on Saturday, and Juszczyk’s name appeared on it twice, both for unsportsmanlike conduct (illegal celebrations and vulgar acts), and both for $14,926 apiece.
In total, Juszczyk’s bank account is $29,852 lighter because the NFL believed one of his celebrations violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 for what the league deemed to be him imitating chugging a beer — an assertion the three-time All-Pro refuted pretty quickly. The other fine was because he made a bow and arrow gesture after a first-down catch. The NFL rules state players can’t make violent gestures during celebrations.
"I don't know how else to say it — I wasn't drinking beer in my celebration,” Juszczyk told reporters. 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. I was as surprised as anybody when I got a fine." Juszczyk also found some humor in the situation during a recent media availability this week. As reporters gathered near his locker, he labeled a big jug near his gear “Not Beer” in big bold letters, and he strategically placed one of his leg pads with a juice box on it directly behind him so cameras would see it during his interview.
Juszczyk and his wife also poked fun at the situation on social media, posting a video of his wife slicing up some oranges and handing them to him as he used a hand juicer to fill a cup with orange juice. Given how adamant he’s been about not drinking beer, Juszczyk may decide to appeal his fine.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
