Full Breakdown
Fake-Chug Celebration Fines: What Happened and What Remains Unresolved
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The NFL fined three players for mimicking the act of drinking a beverage during touchdown celebrations in Week 2 of the 2026 season. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was fined $14,926, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson $13,611, and Indianapolis Colts right guard Matt Goncalves $8,847. The league classified the gestures as “offensive demonstrations” that could be construed as “in poor taste.”
Background & Context
The “fake-chug” celebration—raising a football as if drinking from it—has been used by several players for years. Juszczyk has long linked the move to his nickname “Juice,” while Tyler Warren of the Colts has performed the same gesture since his 2025 rookie season. The NFL’s competition committee has recently emphasized stricter enforcement of unsportsmanlike-conduct rules, leading to a wave of fines for illegal celebrations, vulgar acts, obscene gestures, and taunting during the Week 2 slate.
Timeline
- Week 2 (2026 season) – Juszczyk, Ferguson and Goncalves each perform a fake-chug celebration.
- September 24, 2026 – The league issues fines to the three players, citing Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1.
- September 24, 2026 – The NFL rescinds Juszczyk’s $14,926 fine, stating the celebration simulated drinking a juice box, not a beer.
- October 7, 2026 – Reports confirm the rescission of fines for Juszczyk and Ferguson; Goncalves’ appeal remains pending.
Data & Statistics
- Total fines issued for Week 2 unsportsmanlike-conduct violations: $300,089 across 13 players.
- Specific fines: Juszczyk – $14,926 (rescinded); Ferguson – $13,611 (rescinded); Goncalves – $8,847 (still pending).
- Additional fine reduction: Juszczyk’s Week 1 $20,033 penalty for unnecessary roughness was lowered to $16,000.
Official Statements & Responses
An NFL Players Association (NFLPA) spokesperson said the union had not been given prior notice that such celebrations would constitute a fine and that the league was working to ensure proper notice for future cases.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the status of Goncalves’ appeal. No official league comment on a timeline for Goncalves’ appeal has been published, leaving the resolution date uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't know how else to say it. I wasn't drinking beer in my celebration... when I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice, and it's been that way for years,” — Kyle Juszczyk
- “I like to think it’s an ice-cold Coca-Cola,” — Matt Goncalves
- “It seemed like it went well.” — Kyle Juszczyk
- “Even if it was beer, I don't think that should be a problem with all the beer endorsements that we have in the NFL,” — Kyle Juszczyk