The San Francisco 49ers are on their way to the Super Bowl in hopes of winning their sixth NFL championship in franchise history. Along for the ride this season is Jon Feliciano, a 31-year-old Puerto Rican-Sicilian offensive lineman who signed a one-year contract with the Niners in early 2023.
At 6’4 and 325 lbs., Feliciano has been a force to be reckoned with as he has protected Niners star quarterback Brock Purdy during the season. In fact, of the 32 NFL teams, the Niners were tied for sixth in sacks allowed and third in yards lost from being sacked this season.
The bottom line is that Feliciano and the rest of the Niner’s offensive line have done an incredible job at keeping their offense moving down the field all season and helping them get to Super Bowl LVIII, which takes place on February 11, 2024.
Before you tune into the big game, here are five quick facts you should know about Jon Feliciano before cheering the Niners to victory.
1
Rocky Beginning
Feliciano, who is half Puerto Rican and half Sicilian, had a tough childhood. He faced homelessness and hunger during his teenage years. Originally from East Meadow, New York, Feliciano, his mother and younger brother moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the mid-90s. As a baby, doctors told his mom that he would never play sports because he was born with a foot deformity. He had to wear braces on his legs as a child for two years.
2
Future in Football
Basketball was Feliciano’s first love, but the summer before his freshman year of high school, football coaches saw him and told him he was built for another sport. Feliciano attended the University of Miami where he played football through his senior year. He was drafted into the NFL in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in 2015. Since then, he’s played for the Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and 49ers.
3
Nickname
Feliciano’s nickname is “Plump Caramel.” In 2022, he explained to the Blue Rush podcast that the nickname started as a joke between him and his publicist. She told him that someone had asked her if he had a nickname or stage name and Feliciano quickly responded that his stripper name was “Plump Caramel.” The nickname stuck. The lineman joked that if he wasn’t a football player, he would open an OnlyFans account.
4
Ink Master
Feliciano is covered in tattoos. Some of the tats he’s had over the years include the Puerto Rican flag with the letters NYC and a silhouette of the Twin Towers; the Miami Hurricane ibis; a pride of lions; roses and angel wings; a masked Roman warrior; La Muerte; a skull; an Egyptian god; Simba from The Lion King; Dragon Ball Z; Spider-Man; the solar system; and a snarling wolf with a full moon backdrop. He also has his last name tattooed across his back.
5
Good Causes
Since joining the NFL, Feliciano has participated in the #MyCauseMyCleats campaign where players are given the opportunity to wear cleats that promote a message that is important to them. In the past, Feliciano has worn cleats that feature Mothers Against Drunk Driving (his best friend was killed by a drunk driver), American Society for Deaf Children (his younger brother is deaf), March for Our Lives, and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.