George Kittle, the star tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, made headlines when he appeared ringside at WrestleMania 39 in Southern California in 2023. Kittle found himself involved in a match featuring The Miz and Pat McAfee, where he delivered a memorable clothesline on The Miz outside of the ring. McAfee ultimately emerged victorious in the match, creating one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
However, Kittle's impromptu wrestling appearance did not sit well with everyone within the 49ers organization. General manager John Lynch reportedly reached out to Kittle via text, expressing his disapproval of the incident and advising him not to repeat such actions in the future.
It was revealed that Kittle may have violated a team rule by not informing the organization beforehand about his physical involvement in the match. Despite Kittle's belief that as long as he didn't sustain any injuries, there wouldn't be an issue, Lynch's message indicated otherwise.
Although Kittle shared a fantasy booking idea for WrestleMania 40, he opted not to participate physically in any matches during the event. Instead, other NFL players like Jason Kelce and Lane Anderson made appearances in the ring.
Reflecting on the incident, Kittle emphasized his commitment to football and his awareness of the risks associated with engaging in activities outside of the sport. He highlighted his cautious approach, stating that he prioritizes his football career above all else and avoids potentially dangerous activities like skiing.
In the 2023 season, Kittle played a key role in helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl, although they ultimately fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the team's loss, Kittle put up impressive numbers with 65 catches for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns.