Kittle's T-Shirt: A Mystery Unveiled

During a game against the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle briefly lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt with a profane anti-Cowboys message. The T-shirt read F--- Dallas, and Kittle exposed it to the national television audience during a touchdown celebration. This incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the 49ers' 42-10 victory over the Cowboys, and Kittle's actions have led to a fine from the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct. Kittle expected the fine but stated that he would do it again, and his actions have reignited a storied rivalry between the two teams.

George Kittle's fine

Background

On October 13, 2023, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was fined $13,659 for unsportsmanlike conduct by the NFL. This came after Kittle revealed a profane T-shirt about the Dallas Cowboys during a game the previous Sunday, October 8, 2023. The fine exceeded the $10,927 amount typically imposed for displaying "personal messages" on the field per the 2023 fine schedule.

The Incident

During the 49ers' 42-10 victory over the Cowboys, Kittle celebrated teammate Jordan Mason's 26-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by lifting his jersey to display a T-shirt with the message, "F--- Dallas" or "Fuck Dallas." This act was apparently inspired by former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer, who wore a similar shirt during the 1994 NFC Championship Game victory over the Cowboys. Kittle himself confirmed this, stating that he was mildly inspired by Plummer and that some things need to be done "for the franchise."

Reactions and Responses

Kittle anticipated the fine and expressed his willingness to pay it, stating, "Probably get a fine. Wore a personalized T-shirt. Maybe an inappropriate word... It is what it is. It's a decision I made. If they want to fine me, they fine me." He also affirmed that he would do it again, saying, "100%. I'd do it again." Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons responded to the incident on his podcast, "The Edge with Micah Parsons", calling out Kittle for making it personal and hinting at potential retaliation if the teams were to meet again in the playoffs.

The t-shirt's message

Kittle's T-shirt was a direct taunt at the Cowboys, and he knew he would likely face a fine for his actions. In the lead-up to the game, he stated:

> "Probably get a fine. Wore a personalized T-shirt. Maybe an inappropriate word. ... It is what it is. It's a decision I made. If they want to fine me, they fine me."

Despite this, Kittle chose to wear the T-shirt anyway, and he did so intentionally and without regret. When asked if wearing the T-shirt was worth the fine, he replied, "100 percent. I'd do it again."

The T-shirt also had a deeper significance. It was an homage to the rivalry between the 49ers and the Cowboys, which dates back to the 1990s. In 1994, during the NFC title game, 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer wore a similar T-shirt, which Kittle described as "just coincidence that it just happened to appear on my chest on Sunday Night Football."

Kittle's T-shirt choice was a deliberate and calculated move, fully aware of the potential consequences. He embraced the rivalry and the potential for a rematch in the playoffs, even if it meant incurring a hefty fine.

Kittle's postgame interview

Kittles' postgame interview

Reporter: "That was quite the game, Kittle. Congrats on the win. So, I have to ask, what was that about with your shirt?"

Kittle: "Oh, you saw that, huh? Yeah, so that was a tribute to Gary Plummer, our former linebacker. He wore a similar shirt during the 1994 NFC Championship Game against the Cowboys, which we won, by the way. So, I figured, why not bring that energy back for this rivalry game? It's all in good fun, and I know our fans got a kick out of it."

Reporter: "Right, but you knew you'd likely get fined for that, right? Was it worth it?"

Kittle: "Absolutely. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's all part of the game and the rivalry. I mean, I paid homage to our team's history, and it fired up our fans. It's just a shirt, and I knew there might be consequences, but I'm not too worried about that. I'll take the fine if it means we get to celebrate a big win and have a good laugh."

Reporter: "How did your teammates feel about it? Did they know it was coming?"

Kittle: "Oh, they loved it. I didn't tell them beforehand, but when I did the reveal, they got a kick out of it. It added to the excitement of the game, and we all fed off that energy. It was a great team win, and this is just another fun moment we can share together. I think it's all in good spirit, and our fans certainly seemed to enjoy it."

Reporter: "Speaking of your fans, how do you think they'll react to your shirt message? Do you think it might add fuel to the fire of this rivalry?"

Kittle: "Listen, our fans are passionate, and they love when we show our dedication to the team and city. As for the rivalry, it's always been intense, and I think this just adds to the lore. It's all part of the game, and I know the Cowboys will use it as motivation, but that's the beauty of sports. We give it our all on the field, and these little moments add to the drama and excitement. I have no doubt they'll be gunning for us if we meet again, and I can't wait for that matchup."

Reporter: "Well, Kittle, you certainly know how to make a statement. Thanks for your time, and congrats again on the win."

Kittle: "Anytime, and go 49ers!"

Kittle's justification

George Kittle's justification for wearing the "F--- Dallas" T-shirt during the game against the Dallas Cowboys stems from his desire to pay homage to the former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer. During the 1994 NFC Championship Game against the Cowboys, Plummer wore a similar T-shirt, and the 49ers went on to win that game and subsequently, the Super Bowl XXIX. Kittle's decision to wear the T-shirt was a nod to the historic rivalry between the two teams and an attempt to reignite the competitive spirit that led to past victories.

Kittle was aware of the potential consequences of his actions and acknowledged the possibility of incurring a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. In the lead-up to the game, he stated, "Probably get a fine. Wore a personalized T-shirt. Maybe an inappropriate word. ... It is what it is. It's a decision I made. If they want to fine me, they fine me." Despite the anticipated repercussions, Kittle stood by his choice, emphasizing that he would "100% do it again." This sentiment was echoed in his post-game interview, where he expressed his lack of regret and willingness to accept the penalty.

Kittle's actions were not merely impulsive but were carefully considered, intending to evoke a strong response from both his team and their rivals. By invoking the memory of Plummer's iconic T-shirt moment, Kittle sought to inspire his teammates and intensify the rivalry with the Cowboys. His actions were met with a strong reaction from Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who felt that Kittle was "making it way more personal than it had to be." Parsons' response is a testament to the effectiveness of Kittle's actions in stirring up intense emotions and adding fuel to the fire of their NFL rivalry.

While Kittle's actions may have been deemed unsportsmanlike by the league, resulting in a fine, his justification centers around the historical context of the rivalry between the 49ers and the Cowboys. By emulating Plummer's actions from the 1994 NFC Championship Game, Kittle sought to harness the spirit of that victory and inspire his teammates. He was transparent about his intentions and accepted the consequences, demonstrating his commitment to his team and the importance he placed on honoring the franchise's history.

Reactions from the Cowboys

While there were no direct statements from the Cowboys organisation regarding Kittle's t-shirt, Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons did address the incident on his podcast, 'The Edge with Micah Parsons'. Parsons was clearly unhappy with Kittle's actions, stating:

> "I just feel like he's making it way more personal than it had to be. Kittle's my guy, but I'm going to say this: Laugh now, cry later. We got something for that, just trust. If we see them again, just trust... You going to make it personal? We can make it personal."

Parsons' comments suggest that he and his teammates took Kittle's actions personally and viewed them as a direct insult to their team. He implies that they will seek to respond to Kittle's taunt should the two teams meet again, potentially in the playoffs. Parsons' words also indicate that he usually has a good relationship with Kittle, but this incident has caused some tension between them.

Kittle's t-shirt certainly got the attention of the Cowboys, and it remains to be seen if there will be any further repercussions if the two teams face each other again in the future. The incident has added fuel to the fire of the rivalry between the 49ers and the Cowboys, which dates back to the 1990s.

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