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49ers’ George Kittle, Jimmy Garoppolo discuss the origin of National Tight End Day
Oct 22, 2020 at 3:40 PM
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National Tight End Day is upon us. Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are hoping
George Kittle, widely considered the best tight end in the NFL, and the San Francisco 49ers don't have a reason to celebrate when the clock hits zero on Sunday.
Kittle loves National Tight End Day. Teammates like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo may say that every day seems like National Tight End Day because of Kittle's energy and football enthusiasm.
Kittle spoke with reporters on Thursday and was asked about the origin of the NFL holiday, and the tight end pointed right at his quarterback.
"It was a conversation between Garrett Celek, Jimmy G, and myself," Kittle explained. "I'm pretty sure it was the day that all the tight ends were active, and so Jimmy G was like, 'What is it? National Tight End Day?' And we were like, 'Yeah, it's a holiday, man. It's National Tight End Day.'
"We just kind of rolled with it, and Garrett Celek had a touchdown on that day. That was our first annual Niners National Tight End Day, but in my opinion, every day is National Tight End Day. But the NFL just wanted to give us one specified weekend, which Is the last weekend in October. So thank you to them for that.
"But it's fun, just the fact that tight ends get a little bit of recognition on this one day, and all the tight ends are mic'd up. You can mash all that up together. I think it's just fun."
Garoppolo was asked what he remembers from the origin of the NFL holiday.
"It was the Detroit game. Detroit, my second year here, I think," Garoppolo shared. "Yeah, I was just trying to get George, Celek, all those guys fired up, started declaring it National Tight End Day, and now it's a holiday, so congrats to those guys."
Kittle loves to see any tight end succeed, regardless of the team for which he plays.
"Tight ends is kind of like a brotherhood," Kittle explained, "and it's a position that I want to see everyone succeed all the time. I want to see tight ends scoring touchdowns. I want to see them blocking guys, pancaking guys, breaking tackles, pass [protection]. I like seeing it all. A day that you can recognize all the great tight ends across the league is a great day, and I'm looking forward to our second annual National Tight End Day."
Is Garoppolo disappointed that there isn't an official National Quarterback Day?
"I'm alright with it just being National Tight End Day," Garoppolo responded. "Those guys, they need some love too. They don't get enough of it, in my opinion."
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