Fred Warner might be known for wrecking game plans on Sundays, but during Super Bowl week in San Francisco, the All-Pro linebacker showed off a different kind of artistry - one that had Pat McAfee and his crew absolutely floored.
Warner made a surprise appearance on The Pat McAfee Show and didn’t come empty-handed. Instead of the usual banter or pregame insight, he brought something truly unforgettable: a custom-made cheddar cheese bust featuring not just himself, but McAfee as well.
Yes, you read that right - a full-on dairy sculpture. McAfee’s reaction?
Pure gold. “Holy shit!
Who is the artist?” he shouted, holding the cheese likeness in disbelief.
It was a moment that perfectly captured Warner’s sense of humor and charisma - and gave fans a much-needed laugh during a week that’s typically all business.
But behind the laughs and cheese-based shenanigans was a player who’s had to fight his way back from a season that tested him like never before.
Warner’s 2025 campaign came to a screeching halt in Week 6 against the Buccaneers. What looked like a routine play turned into a nightmare when a teammate accidentally undercut Warner’s leg in the first quarter.
The result: a fractured and dislocated right ankle. Just like that, the heart of the 49ers defense was sidelined.
It wasn’t just a personal setback - it was a seismic shift for San Francisco’s defense. Without Warner patrolling the middle of the field, the unit gave up a season-high 30 points in that same game, falling 30-19 to Tampa Bay.
HOLY SHIT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 4, 2026
THANK YOU @fred_warner 😂😂 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/zRk9iPzm0v
And it didn’t stop there. The loss of Warner, coupled with a season-ending injury to Nick Bosa, left the Niners without their two defensive cornerstones.
For a team that thrives on defensive dominance, the impact was immediate and significant.
Before the injury, Warner was doing exactly what fans have come to expect from him - flying around the field, diagnosing plays before they happened, and making life miserable for opposing offenses. In just six games, he racked up 51 total tackles (28 solo), three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. It was shaping up to be another All-Pro-caliber season.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Fred Warner, it’s that you can’t keep him down for long.
His recovery? Nothing short of remarkable.
Warner recently revealed he was actually ready to play in the NFC Championship Game - had the 49ers gotten past the Seahawks in the Divisional Round. That’s not just a testament to his physical rehab, but to the kind of mental toughness that’s made him a leader in the locker room and a fan favorite across the league.
Now, as the 2026 season looms, Warner says he’s “120 percent healthy.” And judging by his energy during Super Bowl week - cheese busts and all - he’s not just back, he’s ready to remind everyone why he’s one of the most dominant linebackers in football.
The 49ers may have missed out on a Super Bowl run this time around, but with Warner leading the charge again, the defense is poised to return to its hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline identity. And if he brings more cheese busts along the way? Even better.