Breaking News: Jake Ferguson Fined $13,611 for Beer Shotgun Celebration Against the Commanders
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has been fined $13,611 by the NFL for an “imitation of shotgunning a beer” during his team’s Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders, the league announced Friday.
The fine, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, stems from Ferguson’s touchdown celebration in Dallas’ 37-20 win on Sunday. The NFL stated that Ferguson’s gesture “constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.”
According to reports, Ferguson plans to appeal the penalty.
A Career Day Overshadowed
The fine comes on the heels of one of Ferguson’s strongest performances of the young season. The 27-year-old two-time Pro Bowler caught all four of his targets for 43 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ convincing home victory over their NFC East rivals. It was a significant bounce-back effort after a quiet Week 1 in which he managed just two catches for six yards in a loss to the New York Giants.
Ferguson’s two scores came from quarterback Dak Prescott, who threw for four touchdowns on the day and surpassed Tony Romo for the most career passing touchdowns in franchise history.
The Celebration and the League’s Response
The celebration in question occurred after one of Ferguson’s touchdown receptions. The tight end mimicked the act of puncturing a beer can and chugging it rapidly—a practice commonly known as “shotgunning”—before spiking the imaginary can.
The NFL’s disciplinary letter specifically described the action as an “imitation of shotgunning a beer” that met the threshold for an “offensive demonstration.”
Ferguson is not the first player to face league discipline for such a celebration this season. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was fined $14,926 earlier this week for a similar “imitation of chugging a beer” following his team’s Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Juszczyk, whose nickname is “Juice,” has publicly stated he was mimicking drinking juice, not beer, and has appealed his fine. Indianapolis Colts guard Matt Goncalves also received an $8,847 fine for a beer-related gesture.
Criticism of League’s Stance
The fines have sparked widespread criticism and accusations of hypocrisy, given the NFL’s extensive partnerships with alcohol brands. The league maintains official relationships with Bud Light, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Barefoot Wine, among others.
“This is a league that happily takes millions from beer companies, only to turn around and fine a player for pretending to drink one,” one sports commentator noted, highlighting the apparent contradiction.
Media members and fans alike have pointed out the absurdity of penalizing simulated drinking while beer commercials air prominently during NFL broadcasts. The backlash intensified as the Cowboys arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for their upcoming Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, with reporters noting the league’s double standard while the team prepared for an international game.
What’s Next
Ferguson’s appeal will be heard in the coming days. The $13,611 fine remains in effect pending the outcome.
For the Cowboys, the focus shifts to Sunday’s game against the Ravens at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio. Ferguson will look to build on his two-touchdown performance while presumably keeping his celebrations strictly above board.
Whether the league will reconsider its strict enforcement of celebration rules remains to be seen. But for now, Ferguson joins a growing list of players learning that in the modern NFL, even imaginary beers come with a real price tag.
