Sophie Cunningham upset with Roger Goodell after unfair fine: “The NFL is acting like the WNBA”
The 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was punished twice for celebration he says has always represented drinking juice
Kyle Juszczyk has celebrated the same way for years, miming a drink as a nod to the “Juice” nickname that follows him everywhere in San Francisco. This time, the NFL apparently saw something different, and Sophie Cunningham wasn't impressed.
The 49ers fullback was initially fined $14,926 for unsportsmanlike conduct after performing the gesture following a reception against the Miami Dolphins .
The league categorized the celebration under rules covering illegal celebrations and vulgar acts, prompting widespread criticism from fans and players. Cunningham joined the reaction after Kristin Juszczyk and Claire Kittle shared a post mocking the punishment.
“NFL acting like the WNBA come on now,” Cunningham wrote in the comments.
The remark quickly stood out because of Cunningham ’s own history of criticizing league discipline in women’s basketball, turning Juszczyk’s fine into a crossover sports talking point.
Juszczyk insists NFL completely misread celebration
Juszczyk has been adamant that the gesture was never intended to resemble drinking alcohol.
“I don't know how else to say it. I wasn't drinking beer in my celebration,” he told reporters. “I think you guys all know my nickname is Juice. I have 'Juice' on my pads.
"The stadium yells 'Juice' when I catch the ball. When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice, and it's been that way for years. I was as surprised as anybody when I got a fine.”
The situation became even more costly when the NFL later announced that Juszczyk had been fined twice for similar celebrations during San Francisco’s 35-13 victory.
One came after his 21-yard reception from Brock Purdy in the third quarter. The second followed a six-yard touchdown catch shortly afterward.
Each fine was worth $14,926, bringing the total to $29,852. Juszczyk has said he intends to appeal.
Kristin Juszczyk turns controversy into a joke
Juszczyk’s wife, Kristin , was quick to lean into the absurdity of the situation. She posted a video showing her husband pressing orange juice by hand and captioned it: “$14,926 glass of juice.”
Olivia Culpo , the wife of Christian McCaffrey, joined in with her own response. “Can we at least round up?? Why such a strange number,” Culpo wrote. Jason Kelce also questioned the league’s interpretation, adding another prominent voice to the backlash.
Cunningham ’s comment resonated because it captured the larger frustration surrounding the fine. The issue is less about whether the NFL has celebration rules and more about whether those rules were applied reasonably in this instance.
Juszczyk says the celebration has always represented juice. His family and teammates clearly see it the same way. The NFL, at least initially, did not. Now the appeal process will determine whether the league stands by the punishment, or whether Juszczyk gets the last laugh.
