George Kittle has no reason to root for Sunday’s Super Bowl. The San Francisco 49ers tight end isn’t playing, his team is out, and the two teams in the game are rivals he doesn’t care about at all. Kittle is in San Francisco this week with his wife, Claire, for a local event. While there, he was asked about the Super Bowl being held at Levi’s Stadium. This matchup pits the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots, and George Kittle didn’t hide his feelings.“She makes me watch the Super Bowl every time, even if I’m not there,” George Kittle said. “Maybe we’re playing a video game. I don’t know. I hope both teams lose.” That short line said it all. The comments came after a difficult season for Kittle. On January 11, he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during San Francisco’s 23–19 wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers then lost to the Seahawks in the divisional round, ending their playoff run. Without a team to support him and still recovering, Kittle is watching the year’s biggest game from the sidelines, both on the field and mentally.
George Kittle details injury recovery as Seahawks and Patriots chase Super Bowl history
The Seahawks are aiming for their second Super Bowl victory. The Patriots are looking for their first championship since the end of the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era. For George Kittle, that doesn’t matter right now. The important thing for now is his health.Kittle was seen using crutches during Super Bowl week. On Friday, he spoke on The Pat McAfee Show and shared a clear update on the status of his recovery.“The nice thing about being home is that the trainer is right there,” George Kittle said. “That part is really useful. I do a lot of holds and ankle training. The boots have a 3-inch heel lift so I can hang around standing up. But we haven’t walked yet,” he explained of what happens next.“Next week I’ll be wearing shoes and going back and forth between shoes and boots,” Kittle said. “I’ll be on crutches for the next two, three, four weeks, and then I’ll be on the move again.”Before the injury, Kittle appeared in 11 games this season. He finished with 57 catches, 628 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Despite missing playing time, he continued to be a key part of the 49ers’ offense until an injury shut everything down. For now, George Kittle is focused on healing. The Super Bowl can be played without him.
