George Kittle Combining His Love Of Pro Football And Pro Wrestling

“Wrestling is the pinnacle of sports entertainment, as is football”

George Kittle has embraced a “Cero Miedo” approach to life.

An All-Pro tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, Kittle plays with zero fear. He lives his life embracing the same mantra, which is why he shrugged off a fine of more than $13,000 from the NFL this past week for unsportsmanlike conduct over wearing a “F--- Dallas” t-shirt.

Lee South/All Elite Wrestling | Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports

The shirt paid homage to the 49ers-Dallas Cowboys rivalry. But Kittle has not been lamenting the fact he was fined. In fact, he is doing the opposite by championing his own clothing line.

Courtesy Chubbies

Partnering with the Chubbies lifestyle apparel brand, Kittle just unveiled the newest set of clothing from their collaboration. In signature form, the line highlights Kittle’s positivity with his “Be Great Today” mindset, as well as his love for pro wrestling.

“When I sat down with the Chubbies team for the initial design meeting, it was mostly a brain dump where I got to share all my favorite things,” said Kittle, whose nine-piece collection features a hoodie with matching joggers and shorts, short sleeve t-shirts, swim trunks, a Polo, sport georts and a trucker hat. “They asked about my favorite colors and cartoons, what I’m passionate about outside of football, and what inspires my personal style.

“We liked the idea of combining my love for pro wrestling and positive mantras together. The Chubbies designers created this insane print inspired by my collection of luchador masks. The rest of the collection features my favorite colors and my ‘Be Great Today’ mantra, which is a nod to my dad.”

.@49ers tight end @gkittle46 delivers a STONE COLD STUNNER at @SCWPro on 5/13! @espn @SportsCenter @nflnetwork @gmfb @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/plYW2tvGVK

— SCWPro (@SCWPro) May 14, 2017

Kittle is a devoted wrestling fan, especially lucha libre. During the buildup to WWE’s WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans, Kittle attended a number of indie shows–and his attention was immediately seized by the violence, gore, and authenticity of Penta El Zero M. The two have since formed a friendship, which began with the exchange of a lucha mask for a Niners jersey.

“I have more than ten lucha masks, and I’m most proud of my Penta red-and-gold Niners mask with my number on it,” said Kittle. “That’s the one I wore into our Mexico City game in 2022.”

Courtesy George Kittle

Prior to Super Bowl LIV, where Kittle’s Niners fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs, AEW star Penta detailed their friendship and the manner in which they have both embraced the Cero Miedo mantra in life. Since this was a wrestling-related project, Kittle made sure that Penta was also a part of the new clothing campaign with Chubbies.

“I met Penta in 2018 in New Orleans at WrestleMania, and I watched him wrestling three or four different times over the course of that week,” said Kittle. “I was instantly drawn to his swagger and demeanor, how he drew love from the crowd. He was an exciting watch and when I was able to meet him, I learned that he is an awesome human being as well–I admire his Cero Miedo mindset.”

Courtesy George Kittle

Kittle made his WrestleMania debut this past April, clotheslining The Miz at WrestleMania 39. There is a long and distinguished history of pro football players stepping into the ring, and there is plenty of optimism surrounding the idea that Kittle could be the next NFL great to wrestle.

#49ers George Kittle with the clothesline 😱 #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/6nj29HzuYg

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) April 2, 2023

Before making his singles debut, Kittle was asked about forming a tag team with former NFL player Pat McAfee, who also stars in WWE.

“I feel like Pat and myself would be a wonderful tag team duo,” said Kittle. “It would take some pretty great competition to upset us.”

The wrestling parallels extend onto the gridiron. The quarterback of the 49ers is Brock Purdy (a name that Paul Heyman loves to highlight in his promos), and the organization is steeped in history.

Paul Heyman doing a promo on Brock Purdy was a genius move by FOX 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zkhhsxoLWV

— Steve Samra (@SamraSource) January 14, 2023

The 49ers have won five Super Bowl titles, a number that Kittle is seeking to enlarge. Their past includes legends like Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Charles Haley, Dwight Clark, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, and Roger Craig.

Standing on the shoulders of giants, Kittle shared he takes extra pride in playing for the star-studded franchise.

“Ever since I became a Niner, I realized how big the 49ers franchise is worldwide,” said Kittle. “They have an insanely loving and supportive fanbase and breed a culture of winning. I’m very thankful I’ve been able to play my entire career here so far. My main goal is to win games and leave my jersey in a better place for those who wear it after me.”

No fines will be levied for anyone wearing Kittle’s brand, and that even applies for Cowboys fans. Kittle has invested a part of his soul into this clothing line, and he is grateful to share it.

“Wrestling is the pinnacle of sports entertainment, as is football,” said Kittle. “If you like either one of those things–and comfy clothing–you should sport this awesome line. It will bring you good energy, great vibes, and a fantastic mindset each and every day.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.