NFL Fines 49ers TE George Kittle for Vulgar T-Shirt Celebration
The NFL fined 49ers tight end George Kittle $13,699 on Friday for using abusive language during last week’s win over the Cowboys, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
After scoring one of his three touchdowns on Sunday Night Football, Kittle lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt that said “F— Dallas.” Although the NBC broadcast didn’t show the moment, Kittle revealed the shirt on Instagram after the game with a photo of the celebration.
In the game, Kittle recorded three catches for 67 yards in the first three-touchdown game of his career. Kittle said got the idea from former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer, who wore a similar shirt in the 1990s.
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Kittle’s shirt has sparked a war of words between San Francisco and Dallas, first when Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons replied with a fiery response, then when 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel criticized Parsons’s reaction.
Even though Kittle expected to get fined, he said he would perform the same celebration over again.
“I wore a personalized T-shirt, maybe an inappropriate word. … It is what it is. It was a decision I made. [If] they want to fine me, fine me,” Kittle said.