The NFL’s decision to fine San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk $14,926 has certainly caught the attention of everyone else in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who is well known for having some iconic touchdown celebrations that include the griddy, was asked about the league’s decision to fine Juszczyk, which left him tossing his arms in frustration.
“I think this is where the superstars have to get in with the NFLPA and fight for our money,” Chase said. “If he’s getting fined for doing a drinking juice gesture, then I’m getting fined for an elbow and doing the first down thing.”
Chase went on to say that players can’t even tweet about their frustration over Juszczyk’s fine because they will get fined for tweeting about it.
“So it’s really like players gotta keep their mouths shut,” Chase said. “We gotta have a superstar in the NFLPA do something about it, help us along the way.”
Like Juszczyk, Chase also woke up to the news on Thursday that he is facing a fine from the league, after he and his teammate Tee Higgins received unsportsmanlike penalties in the Bengals’ 20-6 victory against the Texans on Sunday for a celebration that featured them grabbing their elbows and motioning their arms downward.
Chase said that he can’t say what the celebration means because it’s something they made up in the locker room.
Unlike Chase’s new elbow celebration, Juszczyk’s juice celebration has been with him for a long time. After the 14-year veteran scores, he pretends to chug an imaginary cup of juice in the endzone, leaving Levi’s stadium echoing his nickname, “Juiicceee.”
After it was revealed that Juszczyk was receiving the fine, he immediately texted ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter and told him the celebration is “an ode to his nickname.”
He also went on to add that he doesn’t even drink beer.
Since being issued the fine, Juszczyk has begun the appeal process.
While he may be upset about the situation, his teammate George Kittle decided to poke some fun at him by posting a photo of Juszczyk holding a beer while sitting in a hot tub, saying, “He can’t be stopped!! This is before practice! Are you kidding me @JuiceCheck44.”
