George Kittle and the Evolution of ‘National Tight Ends Day’

“I think all tight ends embody it,” Kittle said. “That’s the great thing about being a tight end. You have so many different kinds of tight ends. You have tight ends like [New York Giants TE] Evan Engram who runs 4.4-second 40s. You have tight ends like Logan Paulsen, who we had on our team, who weighs 275 pounds and blocks everybody. All across the board, you have all these different tight ends. But it’s fun being able to share the position and being able to compare yourself to these guys and try to do the tight end job as best you can.”

“(I want) to highlight all the great personalities. I think everyone knows there are good tight ends in the NFL, but I don’t know if the tight end position is showcased enough. We have Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, Eric Ebron, Evan Engram, [Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE] O.J. Howard. You have incredible tight ends that aren’t shown every single week, but being able to do this will definitely show people, ‘oh hot damn, there are some good tight ends.’ It will be fun.”

The celebration of National Tight Ends Day continued as Kittle was signed to a five-year contract extension ahead of the start of the 2020 season to keep him in red and gold well into the future. Originally selected in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kittle has appeared in 71 games and registered 354 receptions for 4,671 yards (13.19 average) and 20 touchdowns so far over the last six seasons. He also started all six postseason games in which he appeared, adding 15 receptions for 179 yards.

A two-time Associated Press All-Pro [First-Team (2019) & Second-Team (2018)] and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Kittle has embodied the meaning of what it means to be a “49er.”

You don’t have to wait until Week 7 of 2022 to celebrate again, because according to Kittle, everyday is National Tight Ends Day.