Kittle shows up and joins the 49ers' elite crowd on National Tight Ends Day

Kittle shows up and joins the 49ers' elite crowd on National Tight Ends Day, which originally aired 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 in both running and passing games, leading the team with six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. As usual, Kittle also provided important blocks on several running plays, including as lead blocker in front of wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who often acted as a ball carrier in the game.

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

“(It’s) an honor,” Kittle said. “I am grateful to have been able to be part of an organization that sets very high standards for the way they play football. I'm grateful that they kept me around for so long. Every day I strive to be better than the day before and continue to prove that I have to 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 with all of these other guys is amazing and it's an honor. “I think in college I learned that you want to leave your jersey in a better place and that's all I strive for every day and I know these guys did that.

Kittle has had standout performances in Dallas in the past, including a three-touchdown game in 2023 that helped get the team to the playoffs. The tight end's performance on Sunday night could help create similar momentum.

The 31-year-old is also the initiator of National Tight Ends Day, which is now recognized by the entire NFL, and Kittle wasn't the only one who had a productive day. Tight ends across the league made NFL history with a record 177 receptions as a position group during Sunday's contests.

Kittle began Sunday's festivities by bringing all of the 49ers' tight ends – Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis and Jake Tonges – out of the tunnel with him when his name was announced at the team introduction.

“That was my idea,” Kittle said. “We had four active tight ends for the first time this year, so I was really excited. It's a holiday that tries to celebrate all tight ends, not just the guys who accomplish a ton of goals.

“Tight ends are at their greatest on special teams and on the goal line. I'm just glad they're all going out with me. I really appreciate my tight ends room this year, it was fantastic.”

Kittle and his tight end group will have a week off to get healthier before traveling to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.

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