Kittle shows up and joins elite 49ers crowd on National Tight Ends Day originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA – It’s only fitting that George Kittle had one of his best games of the season in the 49ers’ 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on National Tight Ends Day.

The All-Pro was heavily involved in the offense on both run and pass plays and led the team with six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. Kittle, as usual, also provided key blocks on several run plays, including a role as lead blocker for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who was often deployed as a ball carrier in the game.

With his 500th career catch Sunday, Kittle moves to the fifth-highest career receptions in 49ers franchise history, behind Jerry Rice (1,281), Terrell Owens (592), Roger Craig (508) and Dwight Clark (506). Kittle also moves up to third in franchise history, behind Rice (19,247) and Owens (8,572).

“(It’s) an honor,” Kittle said. “I am grateful to be part of an organization that has very high standards for the way they play football. Grateful that they kept me for so long. I strive every day to be better than the day before and continually prove that I should be on the San Francisco 49ers roster.

“To be on the list with any of those names – any list you’re on with Jerry Rice is a good thing, but to be on the list with all those other guys is fantastic and it’s an honor. I think I learned in college that you want to leave your jersey in a better place, and that’s all I try to do every day, and I know those guys did that.

Kittle has had historically standout performances while playing for Dallas, including a three-touchdown game in 2023 that helped the team into the playoffs. The tight end’s performance Sunday night could help create similar momentum.

The 31-year-old is also the creator of National Tight Ends Day, which is now recognized throughout the NFL, and it wasn’t just Kittle who had a productive day. Tight ends in the league made NFL history with a record 177 receptions as a position group during Sunday’s games.

Kittle started the celebration Sunday by bringing all of the 49ers tight ends — Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis and Jake Tonges — out of the tunnel with him as his name was announced during the team intros.

“That was my idea,” Kittle said. “We had four active tight ends for the first time this year, so I was really excited about that. It’s a holiday where we try to celebrate all tight ends, not just the guys who get a ton of targets.

“Tight ends are best on special teams, goal-line stuff. I’m just glad they’re all on the road with me. I really appreciate my cramped quarters this year, they were fantastic.”

Kittle and his tight-knit group will get a week off to get healthier before heading to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.

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