George Kittle was a guest on the Pardon My Take podcast and discussed several topics during the 25-minute interview. The San Francisco 49ers tight end talked about Super Bowl LIV, his ranking in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020, the genius of his head coach, Kyle Shanahan, his Joker tattoo, and, finally, potentially playing games this season without fans in the stands.
Kittle knows things will be different this season, with the NFL trying to navigate its way through a pandemic. COVID-19 threatens to impact league revenues, future salary caps, and players' and coaches' health. Many NFL stadiums may prohibit fans from attending in accordance with local regulations.
"I think it will be a challenge for everybody," Kittle said.
With or without fans, Kittle is excited to get back on the football field and start hitting opposing defenders. After an offseason of virtual meetings and training on their own, 49ers players will return to the practice field in August amidst some pretty strict league-mandated protocols.
Kittle can't wait.
"I just love football the way it is," he explained. "I love practicing every single day, and the fact that now I get to actually go hit people and try to bury people, it doesn't matter if there's not anybody there because it's just going to be fun to do it in front of my teammates. I just take satisfaction in it."
Of course, Kittle plans to be a little more lenient on his teammates once they get on the practice field. After all, he has to work with them all season.
"I go hard in training camp," he continued, "but I don't pancake people in training camp. It's not good for team chemistry. It's just bad vibes."
Kittle is awaiting a new contract from the 49ers, who hope to lock up the All-Pro tight end beyond the upcoming final season of his rookie deal.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Kittle below. It begins at about the 22-minute mark.