George Kittle’s father keeps him grounded with emotional letters before his important NFL games(Getty Images)
George Kittle has plenty of reasons to get fired up before an NFL game. But for the San Francisco 49ers tight end, one of his most personal pregame routines begins with a letter from his father, Bruce Kittle. The letters go beyond the usual words of encouragement. They connect George to his childhood, remind him of the person he was before NFL fame and help him prepare for the pressure that comes with playing at the highest level.
“My letters are my vision of what George needs to hear to keep his head on straight,” Bruce said in the report. He added, “It connects my life and childhood to every single game.” The tradition began during George’s sophomore year at the University of Iowa and continued as his career took off. Before games, he reads his father’s words on the team bus and in the locker room. Over time, those notes grew into detailed stories that bring family memories, football lessons and even The Lord of the Rings into his preparation. Bruce does not simply tell his son to go out and play well. He thinks carefully about what George needs to hear before each game. In an Athletic report, Bruce explained that the letters reflect his view of how to help his son stay focused. He also wants George to “keep his feet on the ground, make sure his ego is in check and be the guy he needs to be for his team. That message takes on added weight as Kittle grows into one of the NFL’s most recognizable tight ends. The attention around him can be loud, but his father’s letters bring him back to the things that matter to his game: staying humble, trusting his preparation and putting the team first. Kittle explained that the letters had evolved from “a pregame hype speech to a pregame story.