In the fast-paced world of sports and social media, misinformation can spread like wildfire. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle found himself at the center of a viral controversy this week when a Facebook page falsely attributed inflammatory comments to him regarding the recent death of political activist Charlie Kirk.

The post, shared by a page called “Red and Gold Legacy,” claimed Kittle made statements about Kirk’s place in the NFL and the intersection of politics and sports. However, Kittle quickly shut down these rumors by directly addressing his 1.6 million Instagram followers.

“Couple of things… this is a fake quote,” Kittle stated in his Instagram story, sharing a screenshot of the misleading post. He went on to warn his followers about the unreliable source, emphasizing that the account “only posts fake news/reports” and urged people to ignore such content.

Interestingly, Kittle’s teammate Christian McCaffrey was also targeted by similar fabricated quotes, though he did not publicly respond to the false attribution.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges athletes face in the age of social media, where misinformation can rapidly circulate and potentially damage personal reputations. For Kittle, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, the quick and direct response served as a clear reminder to his fans about the importance of verifying information.

Aside from navigating these digital challenges, Kittle is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that has placed him on the injured reserve list. He is expected to miss at least the next three weeks, with the 49ers preparing for their home opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

As social media continues to blur the lines between personal and public personas, athletes like Kittle demonstrate the importance of maintaining control over their own narratives and calling out misinformation when it emerges.