Donte Whitner won’t be changing his name after all — at least not until after the season.
Whitner, who announced via Twitter earlier this season that he was going to change his last name to “Hitner,” revealed on Tuesday that he won’t be changing his name before the end of the year. The 49ers safety withdrew his request for a name change as the judge overseeing the case has required him to be present at the hearing.
[tweet https://twitter.com/DonteWhitner/status/402906287316279296 align=center]
Whitner decided to change his name earlier this season after he was fined $21,000 in Week 4 for a hit on Rams receiver Chris Givens. Whitner was irate over the fine and appealed it as he claimed that the hit was legal, which is what spurred on the “Hitner” nickname. After some joking about on Twitter, Whitner finally revealed he would attempt to legally change his name, even making T-shirts with the nickname on them. His initial attempt was delayed due to the government shutdown, though, delaying the process and likely keeping the necessary hearing until after the 49ers’ bye week.
Whitner has 45 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception and eight pass breakups for the 49ers (6-4) this season. He’ll likely resume his attempted name change once the 49ers’ season is finished.
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