“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.