“MONEY CAN’T BUY ME!” – 49ers Star George Kittle Turns Down $10 Million Offer from Elon Musk to Join Tesla Team, Sparking Shockwaves Across Media and a Bizarre Response from Musk

In one of the most unexpected crossovers between sports and tech this year, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has reportedly turned down a jaw-dropping $10 million offer from Elon Musk to join a promotional and advisory role for Tesla’s new AI-powered sports innovation division. The bold rejection, capped with Kittle’s now-viral quote — “Money can’t buy me!” — has left the public stunned and Elon Musk… reacting in a way only he can.

What Was the Deal?

Sources close to the situation revealed that Tesla had approached Kittle earlier this year with an exclusive multi-million-dollar deal. The role would have included:

Brand ambassadorship for Tesla’s new athletic performance tech.

A lead advisory position on Tesla’s soon-to-launch “CyberFit” line.

Appearances in marketing campaigns and speaking events centered on AI, sports, and sustainability.

The offer? $10 million over 2 years, plus stock options.

Kittle’s response? A respectful but firm “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Kittle’s Statement: Loyalty and Principles

Speaking during a podcast episode of The Trenches, Kittle addressed the swirling rumors:

“Look, I respect Elon and everything he’s built. But I’m not for sale. I’m focused on football, my team, and doing things that align with who I am — not just big money. Money can’t buy me.”

Fans erupted in support, praising his loyalty to the sport and his values.

Elon Musk Responds… on X (formerly Twitter)

Unsurprisingly, Elon Musk didn’t stay silent. Just hours after the news broke, he took to X with a cryptic and slightly snarky post:

“Some people fear the future. Some embrace it. Either way, the CyberFit AI upgrade is coming — with or without NFL endorsement. 🤖⚡”

The tweet was quickly interpreted as a subtle jab at Kittle, and it sparked immediate debate online.

Social Media Meltdown: “George Kittle Is HIM”

The internet lit up with reactions:

@GridironGuru: “Kittle just told Elon Musk to keep his millions. Iconic.”

@TechBrosUnited: “Declining $10M from Tesla? Either he’s the most principled man alive or absolutely crazy.”

@49erFaithful: “GEORGE. KITTLE. IS. HIM. Loyalty > money.”

The hashtag #MoneyCantBuyMe began trending within minutes, alongside #KittleVsMusk and #CyberFitFail?

Industry Experts Weigh In

Marketing experts are calling this a “rare and powerful brand moment” for Kittle.

“In an era where everyone jumps at a quick check, Kittle just became even more valuable — by saying no,” said brand strategist Carla Jensen.

Meanwhile, some tech insiders speculate that Musk’s team may have underestimated how deeply entrenched athletes like Kittle are in their sport-focused identities.

Is This Just the Beginning?

Multiple sources suggest that Musk is planning a large-scale expansion of Tesla into sports performance tech, AI-enhanced training, and biometric tracking. Kittle was supposedly the first of several NFL stars targeted for recruitment.

One leaked email even suggests Tesla had ambitions to launch a “Tesla Performance League” — a hybrid of eSports, wearable AI, and real-world competition.

“They wanted a face like Kittle to give it legitimacy,” said one anonymous tech executive. “Now? That launch just got a lot harder.”

Final Thoughts

George Kittle’s refusal isn’t just a feel-good sports story — it’s a statement in the modern era of money, fame, and identity. At a time when high-profile figures are cashing in on brand deals left and right, Kittle’s message is clear: not everything has a price tag.

49ers’ George Kittle Turns Down $10 Million Tesla Deal, Shakes Up Sports and Tech Worlds

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is making headlines off the field after turning down a lucrative $10 million offer from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, igniting a wave of admiration, debate, and speculation across both the sports and tech industries. The star athlete’s decision, punctuated by his now-viral statement, “Money can’t buy me,” has sparked a national conversation about loyalty, values, and the growing intersection between professional sports and Silicon Valley innovation.

A Deal Too Good to Refuse? Not for Kittle

The proposal, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, would have seen Kittle take on a high-profile role as the face of Tesla’s new AI-powered sports innovation division. The package included a brand ambassadorship for Tesla’s upcoming “CyberFit” athletic performance technology, a lead advisory position, and a series of marketing and speaking engagements focused on the convergence of artificial intelligence, sports science, and sustainability. The financial terms—$10 million over two years, plus stock options—would have been hard to pass up for most.

But for Kittle, the answer was a respectful, but resolute, “Thanks, but no thanks.” On a recent episode of his podcast, The Trenches, Kittle explained his reasoning: “I respect Elon and everything he’s built. But I’m not for sale. I’m focused on football, my team, and doing things that align with who I am—not just big money. Money can’t buy me.”

Public Reaction: Applause and Analysis

Fans and commentators across the country have rallied behind Kittle, praising his integrity and commitment to his craft. Social media exploded with support, with hashtags like #MoneyCantBuyMe and #KittleVsMusk trending within hours. One fan wrote, “GEORGE. KITTLE. IS. HIM. Loyalty > money.” Others hailed him as a role model in an era where athletes are often criticized for chasing endorsements.

Marketing experts say Kittle’s refusal is a rare and powerful brand move. “In today’s world, authenticity is the ultimate currency,” said brand strategist Carla Jensen. “By walking away from a massive payday, Kittle has elevated his personal brand to a new level.”

Musk’s Response and the Bigger Picture

Elon Musk, never one to shy away from controversy, responded on X (formerly Twitter) with a cryptic post: “Some people fear the future. Some embrace it. Either way, the CyberFit AI upgrade is coming—with or without NFL endorsement.” The tweet, widely interpreted as a subtle jab at Kittle, only served to fuel further discussion online.

Insiders suggest Tesla’s ambitions in sports tech are just beginning. The company is reportedly planning a major push into AI-driven athletic training, biometric tracking, and even a potential “Tesla Performance League”—a blend of eSports, wearable technology, and live competition. Kittle was said to be the first of several NFL stars targeted for recruitment, and his rejection could complicate Tesla’s efforts to gain credibility in the sports world.

A Statement Beyond Sports

Kittle’s decision is being hailed as a statement about priorities in an age where fame and fortune often trump personal convictions. “Not everything has a price tag,” Kittle told his podcast listeners, a message resonating far beyond football. As the lines between sports, technology, and celebrity blur, Kittle’s stand may inspire others to think twice before trading identity for income.

In an era defined by big deals and bigger egos, George Kittle’s refusal to sell out is a rare reminder that, sometimes, principles still matter.