Standing as the solitary tight end in 'Receiver', George Kittle is a force to be reckoned with. He's a player who relishes the thrill of knocking over adversaries during blocking runs, often more than scoring touchdowns. With his unique blend of goofiness and hard-edged determination, Kittle is a sight to behold on the football field.
"Football should be a joy, not a stress-inducing chore," says Kittle in the first episode of the latest Netflix series. "I want to ensure that my teammates and I are enjoying ourselves out there, instead of being balls of anxiety."
Now a seven-year NFL veteran, Kittle’s best season was captured under the watchful lens of the Netflix cameras. He earned first-team All-Pro honors, for the first time since 2019. "People often see George as the fun-loving, energetic teammate, which he certainly is," remarks 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. "But within our offense, he's a versatile player who can do everything."
Off the field, Kittle's wife, Claire, acts as his "battery", providing the energy and support he needs to succeed. Claire's infectious energy has made her a breakout character in the series. The couple met back in 2013 at the University of Iowa, where Claire was a basketball player.
George Kittle's family tradition of renting a party bus for every home game to transport family and friends to and from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, adds a fun twist to their celebrations. The energy on the bus ramps up significantly when George boards after a 49ers win.
"Playing as a tight end is a grind," admits Kittle in the fourth episode. Unlike wide receivers who line up far from where the ball is snapped, tight ends like Kittle are positioned closer to the linemen and carry a heavier blocking responsibility in the run game. Modern tight ends, however, share a lot with wide receivers. They've become crucial components of the passing game, and athleticism is a major factor.
"Being a tight end, I get to do a little bit of everything," says Kittle in Episode 1. "I catch passes, score touchdowns, block people, pass-protect players... I believe I play the most fun position in football."
