Two of the NFL’s top tight ends will face off at Super Bowl LVIII in two weeks time. While Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce may be out to beat the San Francisco 49ers as a team, he had nothing but respect for his counterpart George Kittle.
Kelce was asked about Kittle when he faced reporters on Friday. The Chiefs icon went viral for just how respectful his answer was when speaking of the Niners tight end.
“That’s my guy right there,” said Kelce. “The king of Tight End U, man. He’s the best tight end in the league and deservingly [sic] so this year. He’s been playing lights out, playing the best football of his career and really catapulting that San Fran team through the playoffs, man. And I couldn’t be more proud of him and couldn’t be more honored to go up against George in another Super Bowl.”
Travis Kelce on George Kittle:
“King of Tight End U, man. 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 catapulting that San Fran team through the playoffs, man. I couldn’t be… pic.twitter.com/2hqfcix5UA
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 2, 2024
Kelce added that he didn’t have a single negative thing to say about Kittle — both as a person and player.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle Have Dominated The Tight End Position Of Late
Kelce and Kittle have had a stranglehold on the tight end position for almost a decade now. Either one has secured 1st-team All-Pro honors in six of the past eight seasons. The pair have also combined for a whopping 14 Pro Bowl nods between them.
What Kelce does have over Kittle is a Super Bowl ring — two of them if we’re being precise. Fittingly enough, Kelce secured his first Super Bowl against Kelce’s 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, which the Chiefs won 31-20. Kelce recorded 43 receiving yards and a touchdown, slightly outperforming Kittle and his 36 receiving yards.
Could George Kittle Catch Up To Travis Kelce In The All-Time Tight End Debate?
Kelce was 30 years old when his Chiefs beat the 49ers four years ago for all the marbles — the same age Kittle just so happens to be right now. Their 2024 rematch will likely go a long way in padding either tight end’s legacy.
Kelce, who some already consider to be arguably the greatest tight end of all time, would enter a different stratosphere with a third Super Bowl under his belt. But if the 49ers TE were to win his first instead, he’d be on a pretty similar trajectory with Kelce, who is four years Kittle’s senior.
Kittle was named by AP as this seasons 1st-team All-Pro tight end after tallying 65 receptions for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns. Kelce wasn’t far behind with his 984 receiving yards and five touchdowns.