The NFL handed down fines this week for two touchdown celebrations it deemed to be beer-chugging acts, penalizing 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Colts guard Matt Goncalves.
Juszczyk was hit with a $14,926 fine for what the league called “engaging in offensive demonstrations” after he made an “imitation of chugging a beer” following a 6-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter of San Francisco’s 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, ESPN reported. The fine notice also said that “players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the game and is consistent with NFL standards of sportsmanship,” ESPN reported.
Juszczyk told ESPN he has appealed the punishment and texted, “I don't even drink beer.” The 35-year-old has long said his nickname, “Juice,” is the real inspiration behind the act - he’s been saying for years that he is pretending to drink his juice in those celebrations.
On Thursday morning, he reacted to the fine on X by writing, “Can't make this stuff up...”
This was not his first run-in with the league office. After Week 1, Juszczyk was fined $20,033 for using his helmet while making a block in San Francisco’s win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.
Juszczyk is a 10-time Pro Bowl selection from 2016-25 and a two-time first-team All-Pro in 2023 and 2025. Through two games this season, he has two catches for 27 yards and one touchdown. Over his career, he has rushed 65 times for 234 yards and six touchdowns, and he has 307 receptions for 2,904 yards and 21 touchdowns in 208 regular-season games with the Baltimore Ravens and 49ers.
Goncalves also drew a fine, getting docked $8,847 for what happened after teammate Tyler Warren’s touchdown catch in the first quarter of the Colts’ 33-30 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Warren pretended to open a can and handed the ball to Goncalves to chug before the lineman spiked it.
The 25-year-old has started both games for Indianapolis this season and 26 of 35 since the Colts selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. The Colts are 0-2.
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