George Kittle

Golden Nuggets

• In 2019, was the recipient of the 49ers Len Eshmont Award, which is voted on by the players and is given to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team.
• Named the recipient of the 2018 Bill Walsh Award, which was established in 2004 in honor of San Francisco's Hall of Fame Head Coach. The award, which is voted on by the coaching staff, is given to the 49er who has best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Walsh. Walsh served as the team's head coach for 10 seasons from 1979-88. In that time, he compiled a record of 102-63-1 and led the team to three Super Bowls. He was twice named Coach of the Year (1981, 1984) and was later named Coach of the Decade for the 1980s.
• His father, Bruce, was an offensive lineman at Iowa where he played in the 1982 Rose Bowl before suffering a career-ending injury in training camp with Washington in 1982. Following his football career, Bruce went on to become an assistant coach at Oklahoma University (2010-12). After more than five years as a criminal defense attorney, Bruce Kittle is the offensive line coach at Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, TN) HS, under former 49ers QB Trent Dilfer.​
• Bruce writes George a letter prior to each game he plays that he reads on the bus on the way to the stadium.
• Kittle's cousin, Henry Krieger-Coble, signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent TE in 2016. The two were teammates at Iowa.

Golden Nuggets

• In 2019, was the recipient of the 49ers Len Eshmont Award, which is voted on by the players and is given to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team.
• Named the recipient of the 2018 Bill Walsh Award, which was established in 2004 in honor of San Francisco's Hall of Fame Head Coach. The award, which is voted on by the coaching staff, is given to the 49er who has best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Walsh. Walsh served as the team's head coach for 10 seasons from 1979-88. In that time, he compiled a record of 102-63-1 and led the team to three Super Bowls. He was twice named Coach of the Year (1981, 1984) and was later named Coach of the Decade for the 1980s.
• His father, Bruce, was an offensive lineman at Iowa where he played in the 1982 Rose Bowl before suffering a career-ending injury in training camp with Washington in 1982. Following his football career, Bruce went on to become an assistant coach at Oklahoma University (2010-12). After more than five years as a criminal defense attorney, Bruce Kittle is the offensive line coach at Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, TN) HS, under former 49ers QB Trent Dilfer.​
• Bruce writes George a letter prior to each game he plays that he reads on the bus on the way to the stadium.
• Kittle's cousin, Henry Krieger-Coble, signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent TE in 2016. The two were teammates at Iowa.

Goldmine

• During the 2020 NFL Combine, Kittle teamed up with Rich Eisen in support of the Run Rich Run event. Each combine, Eisen runs the 40-yard dash to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Kittle joined Eisen, with the assistance of Von, a St. Jude's patient, and Jerry Rice, in timing his 40-yard dash. George then presented a $10,000 donation to St. Jude's on behalf of him and his wife, Claire. "I'm just such a fan of Rich and that he does that every year through St. Jude's," Kittle said. "I'm a big fan of the Iowa Children's Hospital, so any time I can give back. I'm just a fan of that, any time I can give back to help kids, they deserve it, and I just love what Rich is doing, and so I thought I could help out a little bit."
• Kittle partnered with the Jessie Rees Foundation to pass out JoyJars filled with toys and games at a local children's hospital. Kittle spearheaded the event and was joined by several of his teammates including, TE Garrett Celek, TE Ross Dwelley, TE Daniel Helm, QB Nick Mullens and LB Fred Warner who helped him spread holiday cheer and lift the spirits of everyone they met.
• The 49ers and their families hosted 450 underserved boys and girls from the Bay Area for the first-ever 49ers Hope for the Holidays event. Each child had a once-in-a-lifetime experience traveling through Levi's Stadium and left with a brand new bike, helmet, lock, haircut, shoes, toys, glasses, backpack, dinner and more.
• NFL players had the opportunity to participate in the NFL's annual My Cause, My Cleats campaign during Week 14 of the 2019 season. Kittle and his teammates represented their respective causes with custom-designed cleats in an effort to raise awareness and funding. Kittle represented TAPS, saying, "I play for the fallen heroes and their families."
• NFL players had the opportunity to participate in the NFL's annual My Cause, My Cleats campaign during a designated home game between Weeks 13-15 of 2018. Kittle and his teammates represented their respective causes with custom-designed cleats in an effort to raise awareness and funding. The Pat Tillman Foundation unites and empowers military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.
• The 49ers worked alongside the humanitarian-relief organization Convoy of Hope in December of 2018, and hosted 1,500 guests in-need from Bay Area nonprofits and schools at Levi's® Stadium for a free holiday resource fair. Kittle and his 49ers teammates distributed groceries, toys, books, shoes and other holiday offerings to the guests. The attendees also received haircuts, utilized health resources and took family portraits or professional headshots. Convoy of Hope is a nonprofit organization that directs children's feeding initiatives, hosts community outreach programs and provides disaster response resources to those in need in the Bay Area and throughout the world.
• Kittle and his teammates surprised guests of the CityTeam Men's Program and House of Grace in November of 2018, at Levi's Stadium. The group believed they were just taking a tour of the stadium, but they were in fact joining the 49ers players for a night full of exciting events. The guests received a makeover and haircut, selected a new outfit from Dockers, snapped a new headshot and then shared a Thanksgiving dinner with the 49ers players.
• After posing for a photoshoot, Kittle and his teammates joined Levi's in support of breast, colon and pediatric cancer warriors at the Crucial Catch Fashion Show presented by Dignity Health in October of 2018. 49ers players and cancer warriors took to the runway to show off their attire and share their stories of strength and courage with the audience.
• Kittle is an avid fan of the WWE. In May of 2017, he took time to visit the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy in Iowa, which is co-owned by one of Kittle's favorite wrestlers, WWE superstar Seth Rollins. At a pro wrestling event on the same weekend, Kittle got to live out one of his dreams and get into the ring, where he delivered a Stone Cold Stunner, a move made famous by his favorite wrestler of all-time, Steve Austin. "I felt like a kid," Kittle said.
• The 49ers joined forces with Martha's Kitchen of San Jose as part of their Community Tuesday kickoff event on September 11, 2018. Kittle and teammates took part in the event by serving dinner to nearly 200 residents in need, refilling beverages and bussing tables. Both the 49ers and Levi's Stadium partner with Martha's Kitchen throughout the year by donating excess food after stadium events. Martha's Kitchen's mission is to "feed the hungry with dignity, no questions asked, no judgements made."
• During all Week 13 games in 2017, NFL players had the chance to share the causes that are important to them as part of the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats campaign. Kittle supported the USO for My Cause, My Cleats. He was inspired by his uncle's service in the army. "Military service members and veterans, like my uncle, enable me to live my life with freedom and liberty," said Kittle.
• In April of 2018, along with several teammates, Kittle attended the eighth annual UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Prom in San Francisco.
• As part of the 49ers annual Thanksgiving celebrations, Kittle and his teammates visited Cityteam San Jose to serve a holiday feast to over 300 people in need. Guests enjoyed turkey along with all of the usual holiday sides, while getting to know the 49ers.

College

• In four seasons at Iowa, played in 49 games (17 starts) and regis- tered 48 recepts. for 737 yds. and 10 TDs. As a senior, earned Hon- orable Mention All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Was also the recipient of the team Hustle Award (offense). Started all 11 games in which he appeared and notched 22 recepts. for 314 yds. and 4 TDs. In 2015, earned Honorable Mention All-America and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Played in 14 games (6 starts) and tallied 20 recepts. for 290 yds. and a team-high 6 TDs. As a soph- omore, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Played in 12 games and registered 1 recept. for 25 yds. In 2013, played in 12 games and recorded 5 recepts. for 108 yds. Also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Redshirted in 2012

Awards & Honors

• 2018: AP Second-Team All-Pro, PFWA NFL Most Improved Player, PFWA All-NFC Team, Bill Walsh Award, NFC Pro Bowl, Veteran Community Service Award
• 2019: AP First-Team All-Pro, PFWA All-NFL Team, PFWA All-NFC Team, Len Eshmont Award, NFC Pro Bowl

Career Highlights

• Is the 5th player and 1st TE in franchise history to record multiple 1,000-yd. seasons (2018-19).
• Set an NFL record for most rec. yds. (1,377) in a season by a TE in 2018.
• Since the start of the 2017 season, he has registered 216 recepts. for 2,945 yds. and 12 TDs. His 2,945 rec. yds. are the most by a TE through his first 3 seasons in NFL history.
• Since entering the league in 2017, Kittle ranks 2rd in the NFL in rec. yds. among all TEs.
• In 2017, his rookie season, registered 43 recepts. for 515 yds. and 2 TDs. His 515 rec. yds. are the most by a 49ers rookie TE since the merger in 1970 and ranked 2nd among rookie TEs.
• Registered 7 recepts. for a career-high 210 yds. and 1 TD vs. Den. (12/9/18). His 210 rec. yds. are the most in a single game by a TE in franchise history and the 8th-most among all players.
• His 210 rec. yds vs. Den. (12/9/18) are also the 3rd-most by a TE in a single game in the NFL since 1960.
• With 210 rec. yds. vs. Den. (12/9/18), became the first 49ers TE to eclipse the 1,000-yd. receiving mark and set the franchise record for most yds. in a single season by a 49ers TE. He is the first member of the 49ers to register at least 1,000 rec. yds. in a single season since WR Anquan Boldin registered 1,062 rec. yds. in 2014.