George Kittle fined for Cowboys t-shirt taunt, says he’d do it again

Oct 13, 2023, 10:50 AM | Updated: 1:27 pm

George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown catch during the third qu...

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Well, it’s official: George Kittle has been fined for his wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt with profane language on it.

The San Francisco 49ers’ tight end has been reportedly fined $13,699 for wearing a Cowboys t-shirt during the 49ers-Cowboys Week 5 clash with expletive language on it. Kittle revealed the shirt after 49ers’ running back Jordan Mason scored the team’s final touchdown on the night. Pulling up his jersey, the article of clothing revealed the message “F— Dallas”, an homage to former 49er Gary Plummer.

ESPN’s Jermey Fowler unveiled the news Friday, as Adam Schefter had previously reported that the league office was considering the punishment.

The punishment comes as no surprise, with Kittle admitting Thursday that he expected the NFL to send him an infraction letter soon.

“Probably to get a fine,” George Kittle said. “I wore a personalized T-shirt, maybe an inappropriate word. So, it is what it is. It was a decision I made, if they want to fine me, they fine me.”

#49ers George Kittle on if he would wear his f*** Dallas shirt again. "100%. I'd do it again."pic.twitter.com/ac3cDkFExb

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) October 13, 2023

Despite the five-figure fine, the tight end has no regrets over his actions Sunday.

“One hundred percent,” Kittle said. “I’d do it again.”

Others around the league, including Dallas Cowboys’ pass rusher Micah Parsons, didn’t take it so kindly. Discussing it on his podcast “The Edge with Micah Parsons,” Parsons said he felt like Kittle was “making it way more personal than it had to be.”

While other members of the team felt differently, with Dallas safety Jayron Kearse adding he didn’t have a problem with it.

“If we do our job and keep him out of the end zone, he wouldn’t have been able to do it,” Kearse said.

As for how his coaches and team felt; just another day with George Kittle.

“[It’s] just Kittle, WWE stuff, entertainment,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. “Not really much, just smiled at it.”

Paying homage to Plummer in the 1994 NFC Championship game, Kittle believes in standing with those who came before him in the historic rivalry. After torching Dallas for three touchdowns Sunday, the tight end felt inclined to channel those from the past.

But that doesn’t mean he’s going to start beef with every franchise, only paying respect to those of the past.

“I don’t make things up,” George Kittle said. “We stand on the shoulders of the 49ers before us. It’s something I’ve seen my whole career, and finally, I just wanted to channel it.”