In two weeks, Super Bowl LVIII will feature a match between two of the best tight ends in the NFL. The great player for the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce, has nothing but respect for his counterpart, George Kittle, even though his team’s goal may be to defeat the 49ers.
When Kelce confronted the media on Friday, questions regarding Kittle were raised. The Chiefs legend gained notoriety for the courteous way he responded to the Niners tight end.
“That’s my guy right there,” said Kelce. “The king of Tight End U, man. He’s the best tight end in the league and deservingly [sic] so this year. He’s been playing lights out, playing the best football of his career and really catapulting that San Fran team through the playoffs, man. And I couldn’t be more proud of him and couldn’t be more honored to go up against George in another Super Bowl.”
Kelce went on to explain that he had nothing but positive things to say about Kittle, the player and person.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs have recently dominated the tight end position.
For nearly ten years, Kelce and Kittle have controlled the tight end position. In each of the last eight seasons, one has been named to the first team of the Pro All-Stars. Additionally, the two have a staggering 14 Pro Bowl nominations between them.
Kittle lacks one Super Bowl ring, but Kelce has, having won two, to be exact. In Super Bowl LIV, which the Chiefs won 31-20, Kelce appropriately won his first Super Bowl versus his 49ers. Kittle only managed 36 receiving yards, while Kelce finished with 43 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Is Travis Kelce Leading George Kittle In The All-Time Tight End Debate?
When Kelce’s Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the championship four years ago, he was thirty years old; coincidentally, Kittle is currently thirty years old as well. The legacy of either tight end will probably be greatly enhanced by their 2024 rematch.
With a third Super Bowl under his belt, Kelce—who some already believe to be maybe the best tight end of all time—would ascend to a new level. However, the 49ers tight end, who is four years Kittle’s senior, would follow a very similar path if he were to win his first instead.
Kittle finished the season with 65 receptions for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, which earned him a spot on the AP’s first-team All-Pro tight end roster. With his 5 touchdowns and 984 receiving yards, Kelce wasn’t far behind.