San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is usually known for his blocking and his big plays on Sundays. But during the World Cup, he’s just another fan with a Twitter account and a very specific sense of humor.
Kittle went viral over the weekend after FIFA made a surprising call regarding USMNT striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun had been sent off in the Round of 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina after a tackle that officials deemed reckless. But FIFA announced Sunday it was suspending that red card for a one-year probationary period, meaning Balogun is eligible to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Kittle shared an edited photo of Balogun holding up a Uno reverse card aimed at the referee who issued the red. It’s the kind of low-effort, high-reward meme that fits the moment. And for a fanbase that’s been holding its breath, it landed perfectly. The post racked up thousands of retweets and replies within hours.
Why this matters for the USMNT
Balogun scored the opening goal in that 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina before the red card turned the game into a survival exercise. Losing him for a knockout match against a team like Belgium would have been a serious blow. The USMNT has shown it can grind out results, but Balogun’s pace and finishing give them a dimension they don’t have without him.
FIFA’s decision to put the suspension on probation rather than impose it immediately is unusual but not unprecedented. The governing body cited Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which allows for a delay when there’s reason to believe the punishment might be disproportionate. Balogun will now have to be careful for the next year. One more red card and the suspension kicks in.
Kittle’s own recovery timeline
While Kittle is fired up about the World Cup, he’s also working his way back from an Achilles tear suffered during the Wild Card round against the Eagles in January. That injury ended San Francisco’s postseason early and required surgery. He’s now six months into recovery.
Before the injury, Kittle put together another strong season. In 11 games he caught 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. The 49ers finished 12-5, beat the Eagles in the Wild Card round, then lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks in the Divisional Round.
Kittle has said he expects to be ready for training camp. The 49ers are hoping he’s right. With George Kittle on the field, San Francisco’s offense looks completely different. Without him, they’re still good but not quite as dangerous. Either way, he’ll be watching the USMNT’s next game against Belgium with the rest of us. Just maybe with a better meme ready to go.
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