George Kittle Bio
George Kittle is an American professional football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 9, 1993, in Madison, Wisconsin, he played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes before being selected by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Known for his exceptional blocking and receiving skills, Kittle has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors, establishing himself as one of the premier tight ends in the league.
Early Life and Background
George Kittle was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and moved to Iowa in 2000. He attended Iowa City West High School in Iowa City, Iowa, and Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa, before completing his high school career at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma. Growing up in a sports-oriented family gave Kittle an early foundation in athletics and competition.
His father, Bruce Kittle, was a four-year letterman and co-captain of the 1982 Rose Bowl squad at the University of Iowa, and later became a college football coach. His mother, Jan Krieger, played softball and earned All-America honors in basketball at Drake University, and is a member of the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame. Kittle committed to the University of Iowa to continue his football career, following in his father’s collegiate footsteps.
Path to American Football
At Iowa, Kittle played under head coach Kirk Ferentz from 2012 to 2016. As a freshman, he had a limited role behind established tight ends, but recorded his first collegiate reception, a 47-yard catch, against the Missouri State Bears, finishing the year with five catches for 108 yards. The depth chart remained crowded in 2013 and 2014, limiting his production to a single reception in his sophomore campaign.
Kittle’s role expanded in the 2015 season, when he scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 43-yard reception from quarterback C. J. Beathard against North Texas. That year, he totaled 20 receptions for 290 yards and six touchdowns, ranking sixth in the Big Ten Conference in receiving touchdowns among tight ends. As a senior in 2016, Kittle headlined the Hawkeyes’ tight end unit, recording 22 receptions for 314 yards and four touchdowns, and finishing his collegiate career with 48 receptions for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns.
George Kittle Career
Pre-Draft and Combine (2017)
Kittle entered the 2017 NFL Draft as one of 19 collegiate tight ends invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed the majority of drills, finishing third among tight ends in the broad jump, fifth in the 40-yard dash, and sixth in the vertical jump, before skipping the short shuttle and three-cone drill. At Iowa’s Pro Day on March 27, 2017, Kittle completed his remaining drills, with scouts from all 32 NFL teams in attendance.
Projections placed Kittle as a third or fourth round pick. He was ranked the fifth-best tight end prospect by analyst Mike Mayock, sixth by Gil Brandt, and eighth by NFLDraftScout.com. The San Francisco 49ers ultimately selected him in the fifth round with the 146th overall pick, reuniting him with former Iowa teammate C. J. Beathard, who had been drafted in the third round.
Rookie Year and Early Career (2017–2018)
The 49ers signed Kittle to a four-year, $2.69 million contract on May 4, 2017, and head coach Kyle Shanahan named him the starting tight end out of training camp. Kittle made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Carolina Panthers, catching five passes for 27 yards. On October 8, 2017, he recorded his first NFL touchdown during a 26–23 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts, finishing his rookie season with 43 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games.
In 2018, Kittle emerged as a dynamic playmaker. He set a franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end with 210 yards in the first half against the Denver Broncos, becoming the first 49ers tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season. During the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, he broke Travis Kelce’s single-season receiving yards record for a tight end with 1,377 yards, and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
All-Pro and Super Bowl Run (2019–2020)
Kittle earned the highest overall Pro Football Focus grade of any player in the NFL through the first four weeks of the 2019 season. He was a central figure in the 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LIV, recording a crucial 39-yard catch against the New Orleans Saints that set up the game-winning field goal in a 48–46 victory. Kittle finished the 2019 campaign with strong production and was named a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career.
In Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, Kittle caught four passes for 36 yards in a 31–20 loss. On August 13, 2020, he signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension with an $18 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league at that time. The 2020 season was injury-riddled, as Kittle dealt with a knee injury and a broken bone in his foot, limiting him to eight games and 48 receptions for 634 yards and two touchdowns.
Resurgence and Record Extension (2021–2023)
Kittle bounced back in 2021, recording nine receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13, and earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a 13-reception, 151-yard performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the year with 71 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns, earning his third career Pro Bowl nomination, and recorded his first career postseason touchdown in the NFC Championship loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
In 2022, Kittle set a career-high with 11 receiving touchdowns despite missing the first two weeks with a groin injury, tying for third in the NFL in receiving touchdowns. He earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection, tying Brent Jones’ franchise record for career Pro Bowl selections by a 49ers tight end. In 2023, Kittle passed 400 receptions in just 84 games, the fastest in 49ers franchise history, and finished the year with 65 receptions for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, earning his fifth Pro Bowl nod and second First Team All-Pro selection.
San Francisco 49ers Era and Contract (2024–Present)
Kittle continued his elite production in 2024, finishing the season with 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, earning his sixth Pro Bowl selection. He recorded four games with 100-plus receiving yards, the most by any tight end in the NFL that season, and his 1,000-yard campaign marked his fourth career season of that kind, tied for the second-most by a tight end in NFL history.
On April 29, 2025, Kittle and the 49ers agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with $40 million guaranteed, averaging $19.1 million per year and reaffirming his status as the highest-paid tight end in the league. In Week 1 of the 2025 season against the Seattle Seahawks, he suffered a torn hamstring and was placed on injured reserve on September 9, before being activated on October 15.
Driving Style and Strengths
George Kittle is widely recognized for his rare combination of physical blocking and receiving ability, allowing him to thrive as both an in-line tight end and a downfield pass catcher. His competitive toughness, yards-after-catch ability, and chemistry with multiple 49ers quarterbacks have made him a focal point of the team’s offense. Kittle’s leadership and energy have also established him as a cultural pillar in the San Francisco locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kittle’s signature moments are his franchise-record 210-yard first half against the Denver Broncos in 2018, his record-breaking 1,377-yard season that same year, and his game-winning catch against the New Orleans Saints in 2019. He has earned seven Pro Bowl selections and two First Team All-Pro honors, and was the recipient of the 2024 Salute to Service award for his support of the military community.
George Kittle Career Wins
George Kittle has compiled impressive individual accolades across his NFL career, including seven Pro Bowl selections and two First Team All-Pro honors. His career has been defined by record-setting performances, Pro Bowl recognition, and postseason success with the San Francisco 49ers.
NFL Highlights
Kittle’s 2018 season stands as his statistical peak, when he set the single-season receiving yards record for a tight end with 1,377 yards. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four separate seasons, tied for the second-most by a tight end in NFL history. Kittle has reached 400 receptions faster than any player in 49ers franchise history, doing so in just 84 games.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NFL, Kittle earned All-America honors in basketball at the collegiate level through his mother’s athletic lineage and developed into a top collegiate tight end at Iowa. He set a career high with 11 receiving touchdowns in 2022, tying for third in the NFL, and has continued to post consistently strong production in subsequent seasons.
George Kittle Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
George Kittle comes from a deeply athletic family with strong ties to football and college sports. His father, Bruce Kittle, played at the University of Iowa and later became a college football coach, while his mother, Jan Krieger, excelled in softball and basketball at Drake University. His parents’ athletic accomplishments helped shape his competitive drive and passion for sports from an early age.
Personal Life
George Kittle married Claire Till on April 9, 2019, after meeting her at the University of Iowa, where Claire played basketball. Kittle has been an avid fan of the Chicago Bears since childhood, despite playing for one of the Bears’ primary rivals in the NFC. His sister Emma is married to Cody Ponce, extending the family’s deep ties to athletic competition.
2025 Season Performance
George Kittle’s 2025 season began with a major contract milestone, as he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension on April 29, 2025, cementing his status as the highest-paid tight end in the league. The deal reflected his continued importance to the 49ers’ offensive scheme and his value as both a blocker and a receiver. Kittle’s average annual value of $19.1 million set a new benchmark for tight end contracts league-wide.
However, his on-field start was disrupted by a torn hamstring suffered in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, which led to a placement on injured reserve on September 9, 2025. Kittle was activated on October 15, providing the 49ers with a timely reinforcement for the middle of the season. His return is expected to bolster both the passing game and the run-blocking effort as San Francisco pursues another deep postseason run.
Looking ahead, Kittle’s blend of veteran experience, elite production, and team leadership positions him as a central figure in the 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations. With the contract secured and his health restored, he is expected to resume his role as a primary target for the 49ers’ quarterbacks and a difference-maker in critical moments.