You may have noticed that San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle wears a gray protective sleeve during game days, as shown in the featured photo above. But he wears it on just one arm. The reason is that he refuses to have surgery to repair an injury from the 2018 season.

"So I dislocated my shoulder last year," Kittle said on the Pardon My Take podcast, "and my labrum is completely torn. So I don't get surgery on it -- [The protective sleeve] basically helps me, so it doesn't hurt all the time."


Kittle was asked if he plans to undergo surgery this offseason to repair the damage.

"No chance," Kittle responded. "I can't miss those workout days, man."

Kittle also sustained knee and ankle injuries this season that forced the tight end to miss two games. He played in each of the 49ers' last eight games, including the playoffs.

Kittle finished the regular season with 85 catches for 1,053 yards with five touchdowns, which was his second consecutive season with 1,000-or-more receiving yards. His 2,945 receiving yards since being drafted are the most by a tight end during the player's first three seasons.

Kittle and the 49ers are preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday, February 2.


You can listen to the entire conversation with Kittle below. It begins at about the 35:20 mark.

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