NFL announces decision on ‘drinking’ celebrations

This week, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was fined for what the league thought was a distasteful celebration of chugging a beer. That fine was rescinded when the league learned the real intent behind the celebration, and it sparked a league-wide statement on such celebrations.

Following the decision on Juszczyk’s celebration, the NFL issued a league-wide statement indicating that celebrations including “imitating drinking a beverage” will not be considered a violation while clarifying the process by which players will receive fines going forward.

On Sept. 23, Juszczyk was fined for “engaging in offensive demonstrations” after the league thought he was faking chugging a beer in celebration. In actuality, Juszczyk was acting as if he was drinking a juice box, in reference to his nickname.

Juszczyk immediately pushed back against the fine on social media and then held a brief media session on Sept. 24 during which he displayed a jug labeled in big letters “Not Beer.”

Eventually, the NFL rescinded his fine, “because his celebration was simulating drinking a juice box, not a beer. … Mr. Juszczyk finally stated that the fine is hypocritical with the amount of Bud Light sponsorships surrounding the NFL.”

As it turns out, Juszczyk’s appeal accomplished more than just rescinding his own fine; it prompted a league-wide statement from the NFL clarifying some of the rules regarding celebrations. In the statement, the league said that celebrations “imitating drinking a beverage” are not considered violations.

The league also said that it will contact a player and “provide direction” on a celebration before imposing discipline.

Football is the greatest game in the world. NFL players are admired by millions of fans, including young people competing at every level of the sport. The passion, emotion, and personality players bring to the field are a big part of what makes the game special and connects them with fans worldwide. Good sportsmanship is equally important.

To clarify the line between player expression and conduct that may result in discipline, players were reminded this week that the following are prohibited and may result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, a fine, or both:

• Gestures that depict violence, including the use of guns or other weapons, or gang-related signs.

• Gestures that depict smoking or drug use.

• Gestures that are sexual in nature.

Conversely, recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline. The league-wide guidance provides players with greater clarity on how they can celebrate while remaining within the rules.

When conduct falls into a gray area, the league will contact the player and provide direction before imposing discipline. The player will be advised that continued use of the identified celebration may result in future fines.

Individual and team celebrations are part of the game and help players connect with fans. Providing clear, consistent guidance allows players to express themselves while upholding the principles of sportsmanship that have long been a hallmark of NFL football.

Football is the greatest game in the world. NFL players are admired by millions of fans, including young people competing at every level of the sport. The passion, emotion, and personality players bring to the field are a big part of what makes the game special and connects them with fans worldwide. Good sportsmanship is equally important.

• Gestures that depict violence, including the use of guns or other weapons, or gang-related signs.

• Gestures that depict smoking or drug use.

• Gestures that are sexual in nature.

Gestures that depict violence, including the use of guns or other weapons, or gang-related signs.

Gestures that depict smoking or drug use.

Gestures that are sexual in nature.

Conversely, recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline. The league-wide guidance provides players with greater clarity on how they can celebrate while remaining within the rules.

When conduct falls into a gray area, the league will contact the player and provide direction before imposing discipline. The player will be advised that continued use of the identified celebration may result in future fines.

Individual and team celebrations are part of the game and help players connect with fans. Providing clear, consistent guidance allows players to express themselves while upholding the principles of sportsmanship that have long been a hallmark of NFL football.

Clearly, Juszczyk’s fight was quite successful.