The Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and the San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle are best of friends when they are off the field.
They are fierce competitors when they step on it.
They also happen to be two of the best tight ends ever to play the game, and are largely responsible for the way their position has evolved from a glorified offensive lineman catching occasional passes to a vital cog in a modern, pass-happy league.
In fact, the two of them, along with retired tight end-turned-TV broadcaster Greg Olsen founded Tight End University three years ago to help teach their craft. The immersive three-day program is designed to help players at their position learn from each other, whether that’s studying film, doing on-field work or sharing best practices when it comes to recovery and rehab.
“My guy right there! The king of Tight End U,” Kelce said of Kittle, when asked about their relationship. “He’s the best tight end in the league and deservingly so this year. He’s been playing lights-out, playing the best football of his career, and really catapulted that San Francisco team through the playoffs, man, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
In truth, both have been instrumental in getting Kansas City and San Francisco to the Super Bowl on Sunday in Las Vegas, where they will play a rematch of the championship game won four years ago by the Chiefs.
Kittle led all tight ends with 1,020 yards receiving this season, but he also played one game more than Kelce, who missed Week 1 with a hyperextended knee and then sat out the Chiefs’ meaningless regular-season finale. If Kelce had played, the 34-year-old boyfriend of pop superstar Taylor Swift might have clipped his good buddy, rather than finishing with 984 yards.
That snapped Kelce’s streak of seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Kelce said the streak didn’t mean as much to him as trying to win a third Super Bowl ring, and getting healthy for the playoffs has proven to be invaluable. Kelce has been at his best in…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/chiefs-travis-kelce-49ers-george-kittle-ready-for-super-bowl-rematch
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Publish date : 2024-02-06 00:49:38
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