Santa Clara, CA – October 18, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers should be entering Week 7 — after finishing Week 6 with a 4-2 record and holding first place in the NFC West. Instead, off-field drama has taken over the headlines, threatening to distract from their push toward contention.
Multiple sources confirm that a brief relationship between a 49ers rookie and a team cheerleader has resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. The revelation has raised hard questions about maturity, accountability, and the standard expected of players in San Francisco’s locker room.
The player in question is cornerback Upton Stout, an undrafted rookie out of Western Kentucky, who earned a spot on the 49ers roster through his preseason effort and energy. He was considered a high-character, high-motor athlete — now his personal life has become front-and-center.
HC Kyle Shanahan addressed the situation candidly:
“We’ve built this locker room on trust, accountability, and character. We’ll support him as a person and as a player — but if he turns his back on responsibility, he turns his back on this team. That’s not how we do things in San Francisco.”
On the field, Stout has quietly made an impact through six games of his rookie season. He’s appeared in all six outings, recording 9 total tackles, 2 pass break-ups
, and contributing on special teams. His instincts in coverage and willingness to play physical have earned praise from defensive coaches as a potential long-term piece in the rotation.
Inside the locker room, reactions are mixed. Some veterans have privately offered mentorship to Stout, while others stress that the 49ers’ culture demands more than just athleticism—character and consistency matter in equal measure. With the team facing increasing injury challenges (notably the season-ending injury to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner) the organization is keen to avoid internal distractions as they aim to maintain their lead in the division.
For the 49ers’ front-office, this moment is about more than one rookie’s misstep—it’s about preserving the ethos of a franchise built on discipline, execution, and togetherness. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff have reiterated the importance of focus as the team prepares for Week 7 at home.
As San Francisco gears up for their next game, all eyes will be on Upton Stout — not just for the drama off the field, but for how he responds on it. His actions in the coming weeks may determine not only his role in the secondary but his long-term future with one of the NFL’s most competitive organizations.
