During San Francisco's 35-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20, Juszczyk, 35, performed his familiar celebration by raising his hand above his head and pretending to take a drink. The gesture is a reference to his nickname, "Juice."
However, the NFL interpreted the celebration differently and fined Juszczyk $14,926, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Schefter reported on Thursday, Sept. 24, that the league informed Juszczyk that his celebration was considered an offensive demonstration because it could reasonably be interpreted as an imitation of drinking alcohol.
The veteran player has appealed the fine.
Juszczyk responded to Schefter's report on X, writing, "Can't make this stuff up."
The situation quickly attracted attention from fans and other NFL figures, including former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and his beer company, Garage Beer.
Garage Beer offered to cover the fine, responding to Schefter's report with, "We'll pay it."
Kelce, 38, also defended Juszczyk in a post on X, joking that the NFL would have difficulty proving that the player was actually pretending to drink alcohol.
"Juszczyk should threaten to counter sue for defamation," Kelce wrote. "No way they can prove he was chugging alcohol. He was chugging that 'juice.'"
Kelce later added another post defending the 49ers fullback, writing, "How dare they tarnish the legacy of this great American Full Back!!"
CBS Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback JJ Watt also joined the discussion. Watt pointed to Juszczyk's nickname while questioning the NFL's interpretation of the celebration.
"For a guy whose nickname is Juice, could it not be 'reasonably construed' that he is drinking... stay with me here... Juice?" Watt wrote.
The fine has also prompted reactions from fans online, with some questioning the league's decision given the NFL's commercial relationships with alcohol brands.
One fan questioned why a player could face a fine for making a drinking gesture when the league frequently promotes alcoholic beverages through sponsorships.
Another joked about the unusual situation by suggesting that the NFL had somehow made imaginary beer more expensive than beer sold at stadiums.
For now, Juszczyk's appeal will determine whether the reported $14,926 penalty stands. The controversy has turned what was intended as a playful touchdown celebration into an unexpected NFL disciplinary issue.
