San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle took to Instagram on Monday, one day after suffering an Achilles injury in the team's playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, to share a heartfelt message with fans.
"Football sucks sometimes. But I love it," Kittle wrote. "I love these guys and this team. Heartbroken but have felt so much love and support from everyone reaching out. I'll be good. Thank you. We aren't done yet! Also when your team owner is the first person to meet you in the locker room, you know you're in a special place. 🥃 cheers, all my love."
Kittle's injury is a devastating blow for both the 49ers and their fan base. The All-Pro tight end now begins a lengthy recovery process, while The Faithful look ahead to his eventual return to the football field.
The 49ers will be forced to move forward without Kittle, adding another significant injury to a roster that has been hit hard throughout the season. San Francisco will attempt to continue defying the odds this Saturday, when it faces the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
After Sunday's game, running back Christian McCaffrey spoke about Kittle's importance to the team.
"This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year, and since I got traded here, he's the heart and soul of this team," McCaffrey said. "And so, it's a tough loss. When he's not playing, it means a lot.
"But he's somebody that, even going through something that he had to go through, and us finding a way to finish, he's the first guy in the locker room smiling, bumping music, happy for his teammates.
"And when you lose a leader like that, you never really lose them because his presence is still in this locker room, his energy is still here, and he's a leader, and the heart and soul of this team. And so, we're praying for him, love him, and we're going to play for him the rest of the way."
Kittle finished the regular season with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 starts. His 8,008 career receiving yards rank third in franchise history behind Jerry Rice (19,247) and Terrell Owens (8,572), while his 595 career receptions rank second all-time for the 49ers, trailing only Rice (1,281).