Missouri’s Kansas City Outside of the field, Travis Kelce of the Chiefs and George Kittle of the 49ers are the best of friends.In addition, they are two of the greatest tight ends in history, and they bear much of the credit for the transformation of the position from one of a glorified offensive lineman who occasionally caught passes to one of a crucial cog in a league that loves passes.
To assist teach their craft, the two of them and retired tight end turned TV broadcaster Greg Olsen launched Tight End University three years ago. Through video analysis, on-field work, and sharing of best practices for rehabilitation and recovery, the immersive three-day program aims to enable players at their position learn from one another.When asked about their friendship, Kelce referred to Kittle as the “king of Tight End U.” This year, he has shown to be the league’s finest tight end, and he deserves it. I’m incredibly pleased of him because he’s been playing brilliantly, the finest football of his career, and he really helped the San Francisco squad win the playoffs.
In actuality, both have played a crucial role in getting Kansas City and San Francisco to the Super Bowl, which takes place in Las Vegas on Sunday. There, they will replay the Chiefs’ four-year-old title game.With 1,020 yards receiving this season, Kittle led all tight ends. However, he also played one more game than Kelce, who was sidelined for the Chiefs’ meaningless regular-season finale after missing Week 1 due to a hyperextended knee. Had Kelce participated in the game, Taylor Swift’s 34-year-old boyfriend may have scored a touchdown instead of 984 yards alongside his close pal.Although aiming to earn a third Super Bowl ring has become more important to Kelce than the streak, staying healthy for the playoffs has proven to be crucial. Whether it’s a win-or-go-home game, Kelce has been at his best. He caught seven passes for 71 yards in a chilly wild-card victory over Miami, five passes for 75 yards and two scores in Buffalo, and eleven passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in the AFC championship game in Baltimore.
Kelce is now among the most productive pass-catchers in postseason history as a result of that three-game run.With 156 receptions altogether, he has surpassed Jerry Rice’s record of 151 set between 1985 and 2004. His 116 yards against the Ravens marked his ninth game of at least 100, tying him with the legendary 49ers great for the most in playoff history.Patrick Mahomes has made the majority of those throws, and Kelce has worked with him to make Kansas City into a formidable team.
San Francisco defender Fred Warner stated, “I think they obviously have as great a bond as any one-two punch in the NFL, a quarterback and skill position player in history.” Pat is aware of Kelce’s exact location for each and every play. Kelce, knowing that Pat can run his routes in a different way that may not follow the playbook, and having faith in him to do so. He’s going to locate some open space so they can explore the field.
Although there have been moments this season when it seemed like Kelce’s age was catching up to him, particularly when the Chiefs offense was faltering, former safety John Lynch, who is currently the general manager of the 49ers, was amazed at how open he still is.”Jerry Rice has written every record in the playoffs, and Kelce is currently bigger, so if you’re going by his records, that speaks volumes,” Lynch remarked. However, I believe it’s (Mahomes and Kelce) in tandem. You give Andy Reid a lot of credit, in my opinion, for granting them the freedom. Many coaches would tell their players that they had to fit within their system. You must run the designated path. stuff works out extremely well, even though you can tell he’s making stuff up a lot of the time.
The last time San Francisco faced Kansas City in the Super Bowl, things went really nicely. That evening in Miami, Kelce had six receptions for 43 yards and a score, which enabled the Chiefs to recover for a 31-20 victory with three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
In that game, Kittle was essentially shut down. With four catches for 36 yards, he finished.
In the years since, not much has stopped him. This includes a few weeks ago in the playoff divisional round, when he helped the 49ers narrowly defeat the Packers with four receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.In order to set up his rematch with Kelce and the Chiefs, Kittle had two additional catches in the NFC championship game versus Detroit.
“I am incredibly proud of him,” Couldn’t be more honored, actually, to play George in another Super Bowl, according to Kelce. I have so many amazing things to say about him and his family. I have nothing negative to say about him. It’s going to be enjoyable.
