Today, Netflix debuted its much-anticipated series "Receiver," which doesn't disappoint.
The show follows five of the NFL's best pass catchers on the field and outside of football, up close and personal during the 2023 season. Episode 1 features heavy doses of a pair of 49ers: tight end George Kittle and offensive weapon Deebo Samuel.
We see how the players balance the daily grind with their pursuit of greatness.
Great Expectations, Part 1, is high-energy and insightful, and the pace never drags. The series is beautifully filmed and masterfully edited. The mix of tightly shot game action, live game sound, music, and the actual game calls by folks like Greg Papa and Tim Ryan makes for a wonderfully prepared concoction sure to please the pallet of any 49er fan.
Viewers are treated to live action from the Game 3 home opener against the Giants. Then, George Kittle celebrates his 30th birthday, hauling in three touchdown passes in the Week 5 nationally televised 42-10 beatdown of the Cowboys.
"Receiver" is full of character and attitude, no more so than George Kittle's playfulness and competitive nature. We see what makes these players tick and where they draw their inspiration.
Kittle reveals that his wife Claire, whom he met in his first year at Iowa, is the battery that recharges him. She and their family attend every home and away game, usually by riding in the posh "Chubbies.com" Kittle van. Chubbies make men's shorts, swimsuits, and casual wear.
Deebo tells us that his play improved when he became a father.
"Receiver" is narrated by Hall of Fame wideout Randy Moss and produced by NFL Films, Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions, and Patrick Mahomes' 2PM Productions, the same folks who brought us "Quarterback" last year.
Says Moss, "It's always funny how people say a receiver has just one job, catch the ball, when catching the ball is mostly out of our hands. Everything needs to go right, the play call, the protection, the quarterback looking our way, for even the chance to do our job.
"They call us divas despite our decoy routes. They call us distractions despite all the damn blocking we do. But no one seems to recognize us for the one thing we actually are—always open."
The entire eight-episode series is now streaming on Netflix. Also featured on "Receiver" are Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions, and the players' wives, girlfriends, and families.
Written By:
Reporter. Immersed in 49ers football from Kezar to Candlestick to Levi's Stadium.
All articles by Jon Opelt
Jon Opelt
Reporter. Immersed in 49ers football from Kezar to Candlestick to Levi's Stadium.
All articles by Jon Opelt
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