Make California Post a Preferred Source SANTA CLARA — There’s dumb money and smart money.
Fortunately for Kyle Juszczyk’s bank account, common sense won out. The NFL rescinded his fine over his touchdown celebration and even took it one step further, officially permitting players to imitate drinking any beverage — juice or otherwise — in a joint statement with the NFLPA.
Dre Greenlaw, on the other hand, likely won’t have much of a case if he decides to appeal. But, then again, why would he? He clearly got his money’s worth for berating his former coach.
Fellow linebacker Fred Warner had to separate Greenlaw from confronting Sean Payton at midfield after the 49ers’ 24-14 win last Sunday. An emotionally charged matchup for the former Bronco also featured multiple instances of Greenlaw jawing at the Denver sideline.
Cameras from a local Denver television station captured the postgame exchange, which Greenlaw then confirmed the contents of to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I told him, ‘Get the f–k off the field,” Greenlaw said. “That’s it.”
That wasn’t all Greenlaw said throughout the game, though. He gave Payton an earful just about any time he got within shouting distance — which was often while leading the defense with 12 tackles. He earned the right. And he should have no regrets.
After all, imagine getting a permission slip to chew out your boss. Tell him to F off, air out all the dirty laundry. All it costs is about the equivalent of a speeding ticket.
Perhaps Greenlaw thought he would escape scot-free. His immediate reaction on Instagram — “Damn fr? lmao” — would suggest some surprise. But he should happily eat the fine.
The way he played against the Broncos, Greenlaw might have just been willing to sacrifice all of the $13.5 million he earned from them for the eight games he played last season.
On a $7.5 million salary this season, Greenlaw should hardly notice a hit of about $12,000. For a worker earning $100,000 annually, an equal fine would be about $160.
A totally reasonable price to pay for sweet, sweet comeuppance.
Now, imagine getting that same speeding ticket for going a few miles an hour over the limit. It’s probably something you’ve done before, maybe even many times, without ever being penalized.
That’s bound to sting more, even if the money is the same.
The more apt comparison, really, would be getting that ticket for violating a law that’s not even on the books. Or at least one of those archaic ordinances that lawmakers have never bothered repealing but don’t worry about enforcing, either. At least until it’s convenient.
His fine for the same celebration that he’s performed over and over again — and made sure to feature prominently last week — shed light on the absurdity of the NFL’s whole system.
The fine came from so far out of left field and was seemingly so carefully orchestrated with the league’s official beer sponsor that some inside the 49ers’ locker room wondered if it was all a marketing stunt for Bud Light from the beginning. Two other players were fined for drinking-related celebrations the same week as Juszczyk, and almost as soon as they came down, Bud Light had a post ready offering discounts to fans in the total amount of the fines.
At best, Juszczyk was a victim of terrible judgment from the league office. At worst, he was an unknowing pawn in a gimmick to get fans to drink more beer (something he rarely does himself).
Fortunately, the righteous side won out. And changed the rulebook while they were at it.
“I guess I’ve got to start thinking about my celebrations for this week pertaining to drinks,” Warner smiled. “It’s great for Juice because he’s been doing that same celebration for years. Just trying to have a little fun out there. That’s what the league’s all about.”
Well, it’s what the league is supposed to be about.
There’s a time and place for punishment. The league can’t have its personnel going around confronting all of their former employers who left them a little disgruntled.
But it also has a long way to go to shed its label as the “No Fun League,” as was evident in its response to Juszczyk’s celebration. At least it’s one step closer now.
