San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle stirred controversy last season by wearing a provocative shirt during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. The shirt, bearing the message “F–k Dallas,” was revealed during the 49ers’ dominant 42-10 victory in Week 5 of the 2023 season.
The incident was documented in the Netflix series “Receiver,” showing Kittle discussing his decision with teammates and acknowledging the likely financial repercussions.
Kittle’s decision to wear the shirt led to a significant fine. He anticipated the fine in conversations with teammates, estimating it might be around $15,000. Ultimately, the NFL fined him $13,659 for the personal message. Despite the penalty, Kittle expressed no regrets and even indicated he might repeat the act if given the chance.
The incident sparked reactions from both teams. Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons addressed the shirt on his show “The Edge,” suggesting Kittle made the rivalry overly personal and hinting at potential retribution. Parsons emphasized that their rivalry was far from over, suggesting future encounters could be more intense.
San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel responded to Parsons’ comments on the “Up & Adams” show. Samuel argued that the game was already personal and suggested that another matchup could result in an even more decisive victory for the 49ers. This exchange highlighted the escalating tension between the two teams following the incident.
The controversy has set the stage for their next encounter, scheduled for October 27 in the upcoming season. With both sides engaging in trash talk and promising fierce competition, the anticipation for the rematch is high among fans and players alike. The incident has added another layer of intensity to the already heated rivalry between the 49ers and the Cowboys.
