On Sunday, Brock Purdy tossed a touchdown to Kyle Juszczyk and the fullback celebrated in the endzone by drinking juice - prompting a surprise fine from the league office
Brock Purdy was confused by the NFL's decision to fine Kyle Juszczyk
Brock Purdy was confused by the NFL's decision to fine Kyle Juszczyk(Image: X @OurSf49ers)
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy admitted the whole team has been left “confused” by Kyle Juszczyk’s fine for his drinking celebration.
On Sunday in Week 2, Juszczyk scored a touchdown in the 49ers’ dominant 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium. The 35-year-old celebrated with his trademark juice celebration and was fined by the NFL for the display.
The league sent Juszczyk a letter saying his "imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste." He was fined $14,926 for the celebration, which left many around the league - including Jason Kelce - furious on the fullback's behalf.
Juszczyk has played for San Francisco since 2017 and is known as "Juice" by the fanbase, who chant "juiceeeeee" whenever he receives a touch. His celebration, in his words, is meant to demonstrate him drinking juice.
“Can’t make this stuff up,” Juszczyk tweeted in response to the fine. Purdy also leaped to the defense of his offensive teammate as he discussed the controversial fine.
“Yeah, I’ve seen Juice do his celebration for like five years,” Purdy told reporters earlier this week. “Or yeah, for however long I’ve been here. So, I’m a little confused with the punishment he’s dealing with.”
When asked if he was warned about celebrations in the wake of Juszczyk’s surprise fine, Purdy declared: “No, that’s the first time we had heard about that as players. Kyle does a good job of hitting stuff around the league and stuff with violent acts, stuff for scoring touchdowns, or jumping on the goalpost or whatever, and yeah, that never came up.
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Kyle Juszczyk burst into the endzone but his celebration cost him
Kyle Juszczyk burst into the endzone but his celebration cost him(Image: Getty Images)
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“You know, 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 has been the 49ers’ Art Rooney award nominee for sportsmanship, fair play, respect for opponents, and competitive integrity for like six straight years. As a result, Kelce suggested he should sue the NFL as a response.
“Juszczyk should threaten to countersue for defamation," Kelce tweeted to his over 700,000 followers. “How dare the NFL allege false accusations. No way they can prove he was chugging alcohol. He was chugging that 'juice'.......How dare they tarnish the legacy of this great American Full Back!!”
This is the first time Juszczyk has been fined for the celebration he's used nearly his entire career. “And I don’t even drink beer!” he texted ESPN insider Adam Schefter, who added that Juszczyk has already sent an appeal of the fine.
Juszczyk is a 10-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-team All-Pro selection, having scored 27 touchdowns in his lengthy NFL career dating back to 2013. Nowadays, he serves mostly in a blocking role for star running back Christian McCaffrey in the vaunted San Francisco offense.
Juszczyk and the 2-0 49ers host the 1-1 Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, September 27.