By Matthew CoudenShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAfter a sweet win on "Monday Night Football," San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle didn't hold back in a post-game rant aimed at one former NFL player for doing a bit too much trash-talking.
The six-time Pro Bowler appeared on ESPN's "SportsCenter" after his team won 20-9 over the visiting Carolina Panthers. That moved the 49ers to 8-4 as they continue their battle for a postseason berth in the NFC.
While Kittle didn't have any touchdowns, he caught six passes for 78 yards to lead all receivers for his team. Jauan Jennings and Christian McCaffrey each scored for the 49ers, with Brock Purdy throwing 23-of-32 completions for 193 yards. While he wasn't sacked in the MNF matchup, he also threw three picks.
Read more: Analyst Shares Major Issue Browns Face With Shedeur Sanders
Mistakes aside by the quarterback, it was a necessary win for the 49ers as they remain in the playoff hunt. As one might expect, the MNF victory fired up tight end George Kittle.
...He was the man of the hour after the game, as ESPN's Scott Van Pelt had a lengthy conversation with the charismatic and entertaining 49ers tight end on "SportsCenter." And SVP made sure to set up Kittle to deliver the perfect professional wrestling-style promo aimed at "Bussin' With the Boys" host Will Compton.
"Hey, Will Compton. Didn't really appreciate your voice memo on the day of my 'Monday Night Football' game, talking crap to me about Iowa-Nebraska. Didn't settle with me. You know what? I didn't like it. And you know, that's the type of thing Nebraska does, they take cheap shots," Kittle fired off in his fiery rant.
"I'm preparing for a nationally televised football game on 'Monday Night Football,' and you're coming at me about Nebraska-Iowa?" he asked, adding, "That means you're scared. You're terrified. You lost by 30 at Penn State? They just fired their coach and [Nebraska] lost by 30? Are you kidding me? Iowa's gonna come in there, run the ball down your throat, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
Kittle ended with, "Sit on the bus that doesn't go anywhere and shut your mouth, Will Compton. Shut up."
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Compton's voice memo, circulating on social media, featured him calling Kittle before MNF to let him know, "Nebraska is gonna stomp a mudhole in your a** this Friday." The two college teams play at noon Eastern Time in a rivalry game on Friday.
Compton, an NFL linebacker for eight years, played for Nebraska from 2008 to 2012. Kittle arrived at Iowa in 2012 as a redshirt and then played a full four seasons afterward.
Kittle's promo is no surprise, since he's no stranger to professional wrestling. Like other sports stars, he's a major WWE fan and has appeared as a spectator at various WWE events. He had a significant involvement in WrestleMania 39, assisting football star Pat McAfee in his match against Mike "The Miz" Mizanin.
Following that incident, there were online rumors that the 49ers general manager might have asked him to step back from his involvement, since they need a healthy Kittle on the field. However, he's indicated an interest in joining WWE or another professional wrestling promotion after his NFL career ends.
For now, the mission for his San Francisco 49ers seems clear: keep winning games and gain entry into the NFL Playoffs. Next up is a visit to Cleveland, where they'll face rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the 3-8 Browns on Sunday.
Read more: Justin Jefferson Sounds Off After ‘Frustrating’ Vikings Loss to Packers
For more about the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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