On September 24th, 2000, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens scored a touchdown in Dallas, and what ensued was a celebration that is still remembered decades later.
Owens ran to midfield and stood in the middle of the Cowboys' star, a gesture opposing fans and players alike took exception to. The celebration caused a chain effect, as Dallas' running back Emmitt Smith scored later in the game before running to the star himself.
When Owens scored his second touchdown late in the game, he tried take back the star one final time, but was tackled by Cowboys' safety George Teague, leading to Teague's ejection and ending the theatrics of San Francisco's 41-24 win.
Now, over 26 years later, another Niners all-time great with clear disdain for the Cowboys has an opportunity to pass Owens on that same star.
George Kittle needs 82 receiving yards to pass Owens on 49ers all-time receiving yards list
Tight end George Kittle has had his share of big games against the Cowboys over his 10 seasons in the NFL, including a three-touchdown performance on October 8th, 2023 when he lifted his jersey to reveal a shirt with some expressive language about "America's Team."
Inspired by former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer, who wore a similar shirt before the 1994 NFC Championship Game, Kittle's shirt added fuel to an already intense rivalry.
Now entering Week 10 of Kittle's 10th season, the All-Pro tight end sits at 8,491 receiving yards for his career, just 82 yards short of surpassing Owens' 8,572 yards in the red and gold.
While it's likely impossible for Kittle to catch San Francisco legend Jerry Rice, who sits alone with 19,247 yards, the tight end has a real chance to build a comfortable cushion at No. 2, and there's no better place to start than in Dallas.
Cowboys will give George Kittle every chance to reach 49ers milestone
The Cowboys defense is averaging 372.7 yards allowed per game this year, and has already given up 27 touchdowns, tying them for third-most in the league.
With a banged-up wide receiver room that will feature Keenan Allen's first game in red and gold, the 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy will have to lean on Kittle in a game that projects as a shootout.
Kittle has 195 receiving yards in his last two games Combined against the Cowboys, averaging plenty more than the 82 he needs on Sunday to pass Owens.
While the 49ers fan favorite has said he won't wear the infamous shirt again in this matchup, it remains to be seen whether Kittle has another trick up his sleeve if he can pass Owens and make history in Jerry's World.
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