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NFL, NFLPA clarify celebration penalties, say imitating drinking won't be penalty or subject to fine

The NFL and NFLPA have clarified their stance on player celebrations, explicitly stating that mimicking the act of drinking will no longer result in penalties or fines. This decision follows recent controversies involving two players whose fines were later rescinded.

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was initially fined $14,926 for his post-touchdown celebration, which involved imitating a beer chug—a gesture tied to his nickname, 'Juice.' Similarly, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson faced a $13,611 fine for a similar celebration, later reversed after he explained it referenced drinking Gatorade. Both players had long used these gestures as part of their celebrations, and the league’s reversal aligns with the new joint statement emphasizing the distinction between player expression and conduct warranting discipline.

The updated guidelines now exclude drinking imitations from potential penalties, allowing players broader freedom in their celebratory gestures.

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