George Kittle turned a family connection into more than $250,000 in military charity support(Imagn Images)
In February 2025, the NFL reported that Kittle had donated more than $250,000 to military nonprofits, while also helping veterans access mental health resources and giving service members tickets to games. By February 2025, the NFL reported that he had donated more than 400 tickets over six years. His selected organizations have included the Pat Tillman Foundation in 2018, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors from 2019 through 2021, Merging Vets & Players in 2022 and Operation Freedom Paws in 2023. The NFL recognized Kittle’s efforts on February 5, 2025, when it named him the recipient of the 2024 USAA Salute to Service Award. The league said he had donated more than $250,000 to military nonprofits. USAA pledged $25,000 to military aid societies, and the NFL Foundation pledged a matching $25,000 contribution for Kittle’s chosen military charity. Accepting the award at NFL Honors in New Orleans on February 6, 2025, Kittle reflected on a conversation with a wounded veteran, Staff Sergeant Darren.
Because he was overseas, I could tell how much that affected the family and how big of a deal it was, he said, “On the days (uncle Pat) wasn’t there.
Kittle said the exchange reminded him that service members and veterans have ordinary family lives alongside the extraordinary demands of military service. George Kittle’s support for military families started with something he saw growing up. His uncle served overseas, and Kittle noticed how the deployments affected the family at home. Years later, the San Francisco 49ers tight end turned that experience into a wider charitable effort. That connection has shaped several parts of his charitable work. Kittle has bought tickets for service members and frontline heroes to attend 49ers games. He has also supported military nonprofits through the league’s My Cause My Cleats campaign. The award also brought additional support.