Dale Earnhardt Jr. has never been one to bite his tongue, and the NASCAR icon is now taking aim at the NFL over what he sees as an absurd crackdown on post-play celebrations.
The league recently fined San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk $14,926 for what it deemed an "offensive demonstration" during last Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. His crime? Pretending to chug a beer. The NFL cited Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits such gestures.
Juszczyk, who has already appealed the fine, told ESPN's Adam Schefter, "I don't even drink beer." That irony wasn't lost on Earnhardt Jr., who took to social media after learning of the penalty.
"What are we doing?" Earnhardt Jr. posted, capturing the frustration of many fans who feel the NFL is prioritizing nitpicking over common sense.
The fines didn't stop there. Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Matt Goncalves was hit with an $8,847 penalty for a similar "offensive demonstration" during Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The NFL informed Goncalves that his "imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration…in poor taste."
Earnhardt Jr.'s reaction echoes a growing sentiment among players and fans alike: the NFL's disciplinary measures are becoming increasingly difficult to justify. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase was also fined this week for imitating Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's iconic "People's Elbow" celebration in the end zone. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chase didn't hold back.
"This is where the superstars have to get in with NFLPA and fight for our money," Chase said. "I'm getting fined for an elbow and doing a first-down thing. We can't even tweet about it because we get fined for tweeting about it."
Chase's comments highlight a broader issue: players feel they're being penalized for simply expressing themselves and entertaining the fans who pay to watch them. The NFL has long struggled to balance maintaining a professional image with allowing players to showcase their personalities.
For Earnhardt Jr., who built a career on being authentic and connecting with fans, the league's stance seems completely out of touch. His "What are we doing?" post resonated across social media, with many calling for the NFL to loosen its grip on touchdown celebrations and other harmless acts.
It's not the first time the NFL has faced backlash over its fines. The league has previously drawn criticism for penalizing players for everything from excessive celebration to social media posts. As the fines pile up, so does the frustration.
Whether the NFL will tone down its approach remains to be seen. But with voices like Earnhardt Jr. and Chase speaking out, the pressure is mounting. Fans are hoping the league will finally let the players have some fun—without reaching for their wallets.
