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Donte Whitner name change hearing set for Tuesday

49ers safety Donte Whitner could seen be Donte Hitner. His name-change hearing might be able to get his name changed in time for Monday Night Football. New to Niners Nation? Sign up here and join the discussion!

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last month, 49ers safety Donte Whitner submitted paperwork to change his last name to Hitner. For those who had forgotten about that, the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio is holding a hearing today to consider the application. The hearing is scheduled for 11:45 PT. There is no specific word on when the name change will be official, but I believe he could be Hitner as soon as Monday's game against Washington. If that's the case, we would see a new jersey for him next Monday.

Whitner sent out this tweet last night:

I tweeted Whitner asking if this was related to the name change, but never heard back. I can only guess it is connected to that. I suppose he could decide to come out and complain about Ahmad Brooks' penalty, or something else entirely, but the timing makes me think it will be related to the name change.

If the name change goes through, and you own a Whitner jersey, I suppose you'll soon be able to get started removing the W. Or you could just use some tape over it and go for the especially classy look!