For years, the NFL has viewed touchdown celebrations with deep anxiety.
- Terrell Owens famously pulling a sharpie out of his sock to sign the football after a touchdown before handing it over to a young fan.
- Later that same season Owens celebrated by dancing on the Dallas Cowboy star at midfield, before getting blindsided by an offended Cowboy.
That’s about the time the NFL decided it was time to crack down.
Soon after, New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham dunked the football over the crossbar after scoring a touchdown. He was fined $30,000 for using the cross bar as a prop (a violation of the rules)…essentially putting the kibosh on all future TD celebrations.
Fun was officially on notice.
Until 2017, when commissioner Roger Goodell – after pressure from players and ex-players alike – proudly announced touchdown celebrations would once again be permitted in the NFL.
Within limits, of course.
Well, it’s 2026 and apparently the NFL has seen enough.
A week ago Monday, it announced San Francisco 49er running back Kyle Juszczyk had been fined $14,926 for making a chugging motion after his touchdown reception in a game against the Miami Dolphins.
The NFL stated that Juszczyk’s “imitation of chugging a beer” constituted an offensive demonstration that could reasonably be considered in poor taste.
Juszczyk has appealed the fine.
His nickname is “Juice”, which Niner fans yell every time he touches the ball. He maintains he was mimicking chugging some OJ – vitamin C and all – to wholesomely celebrate. He claims he doesn’t even drink beer.
What’s ironic, immediately after the touchdown a Michelob ULTRA commercial aired. Apparently the millions in sponsorship revenues were not offensive to the NFL.
This story raised several questions here at The Loftus Party, so we reached out to the NFL with a media inquiry.
Specifically:
• Was the league aware that this was a longstanding “Juice” celebration before issuing the fine?
• Did anyone from the league speak with Juszczyk or the 49ers about what the gesture represented?
• What led the league to characterize the gesture as an imitation of chugging a beer and an “offensive demonstration”?
• Given that the celebration has apparently been used previously, what prompted the fines in this instance?
As of now, the NFL has not responded. Which leaves us no alternative but to speculate how this might have all gone down.
We’re imagining the “discipline review committee” gathered early Monday morning to go over player behavior from the previous day.
Seated around the conference table wearing suits and ties and sipping on their coffee, all is calm until up pops Exhibit A from the power point presentation.
Kyle Juszczyk.
Chugging motion.
Silence. Then Gasps.
We’re guessing a silk tie may have suffered severe soil stains from a lidless latte, as outrage swept the room.
Come on NFL …do better. Have you seen soccer celebrations? Players – both male and female – have practically stripped down to their skivvies after scoring a goal.
It’s a game. Can’t we just have some fun?
