The San Francisco 49ers took a creative and globally minded approach to the 2025 NFL Draft, turning what is usually a routine mid-round selection into a moment of cultural celebration and cross-border fan engagement. With the 113th overall pick in the fourth round, the 49ers selected Indiana defensive tackle CJ West—but it wasn’t the pick itself that grabbed headlines. It was how, and where, it was announced.
As the pick came in, ESPN’s draft coverage shifted from its usual stateside locations to Monterrey, Mexico. There, in a vibrant and unexpected broadcast, 49ers legend Patrick Willis stood alongside Monterrey native and current 49ers offensive tackle Alfredo Gutiérrez, team mascot Sourdough Sam, and the internationally rising Mexican rock band, The Warning. Together, they brought energy, excitement, and international flair to what would otherwise have been a quiet Day 3 selection.
The Villarreal sisters—Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra—who make up The Warning, were dressed head-to-toe in 49ers gear, including the iconic “Faithful to The Bay” jackets. With booming voices and infectious enthusiasm, they officially announced the pick of CJ West on live television before shouting, “¡Vamos Niners!” in unison, a spirited send-off that resonated with fans in both the U.S. and Mexico.
The choice to involve The Warning wasn’t completely out of left field. In the days leading up to the draft, the band had been teasing a collaboration with the 49ers on social media, posting photos and videos of themselves in team apparel and using Niners-themed hashtags. Their inclusion in the announcement is widely seen as a calculated step by the 49ers to build and energize their fanbase in Mexico—a country with a growing appetite for American football and a longstanding connection to the sport.
The partnership also hints at larger plans in the works. According to NBC Sports California reporter Matt Maiocco, the 49ers are rumored to be in line to play a regular season game in Mexico City in 2026, part of the NFL’s broader effort to expand its international presence. While nothing is confirmed, the Monterrey draft segment appears to be a soft launch of sorts—a way to test the waters and gauge fan response.
It’s not the first time The Warning has crossed paths with the NFL. The band previously partnered with the Las Vegas Raiders, and their fanbase has only grown since then. Earlier this year, they sold out three shows at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, one of the country’s premier concert venues. Their rise is indicative of a new generation of Latin American artists breaking into the global mainstream—making them a perfect cultural bridge between the NFL and a younger, more diverse fan demographic.
Their partnership with the 49ers could extend even further. With the NFL seeking to grow its footprint outside the United States, teams are exploring ways to create more culturally resonant experiences. For the 49ers, aligning with The Warning could be a savvy way to maintain relevance not only among traditional football fans but also within the larger entertainment 
Closer to home, The Warning is keeping busy. The band is set to tour North America this spring and summer, opening for Halsey and performing at several major music festivals in Europe. Their tour kicks off on May 10 with a show in the Bay Area at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord—adding another layer of local connection between the band and the 49ers fanbase.
CJ West, the player at the center of it all, will likely remember his draft moment as one of the most unique of the year. While fans will be eager to see how the 6’3”, 305-pound defensive tackle fits into the 49ers’ defensive scheme, his selection will be remembered just as much for the way it was delivered—a bold reminder that in today’s NFL, football is no longer just a national pastime. It’s becoming a global experience.
As teams look to expand their reach and deepen relationships with fans across borders, the 49ers may have set a new standard for how to turn a routine draft pick into a moment that transcends the sport. Whether the partnership with The Warning continues or not, one thing is clear: the 49ers are thinking big, loud, and international.
Leave a Reply