NFL, union clarify celebration rules, say drinking gestures not violations

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  Nick WagonerOct 7, 2026, 05:05 PM ET

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  Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The NFL and NFLPA announced in a joint statement Wednesday that recent player celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will no longer be violations or result in discipline.

In Week 2, multiple players, including 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Colts guard Matt Goncalves and Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, were fined after performing celebrations in which they mimicked drinking a beverage of some kind.

An appeals officer rescinded the fines for Juszczyk and Ferguson earlier Wednesday as the league and players association worked out a solution to solve any future issues on the matter.

"The league-wide guidance provides players with greater clarity on how they can celebrate while remaining within the rules," the statement said.

As part of that clarification, the following celebrations remain prohibited and can result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike 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

Also included in the resolved guidelines is a note that when conduct falls into a "gray area," the league will contact the player before imposing any discipline that may require an appeal.

According NFLPA executive director JC Tretter, there were 20 celebration fines in Weeks 2 and 3, which he called an "an unusual spike." Tretter wrote on X that all of those fined players appealed, with some already overturned.

"We raised this issue and pushed for greater clarity around what will and won't result in discipline," Tretter wrote. "When something falls into a gray area, communication and education should come before punishment. We're glad the league will seek to educate players before immediately defaulting to a fine."

A league source said the NFL and the NFLPA worked together to address the issue over the past couple of weeks before releasing the joint statement Wednesday.

When informed of the changes, Juszczyk and his teammates said they were happy to hear that he will be able to continue what has been his signature celebration.

"I guess I've got to start thinking of my celebrations for this week pertaining to drinks," linebacker Fred Warner said Wednesday, laughing. "It is great for Juice because he's been doing that same celebration for years. But yeah, man, just try to have a little fun out there. That's what the league's about."