49ers’ George Kittle Says 'Football Sucks Sometimes' After Season-Ending Achilles Injury During Playoff Win

NEED TO KNOW

• During the San Francisco 49ers' 23-19 playoff win over the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday, Jan. 11, 49ers tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles tendon
• The following day, he acknowledged the injury and transparently shared his mixed emotions
• “Football sucks sometimes. But I love it," he wrote on Instagram
  

George Kittle is candidly discussing the difficulties of professional football.

Kittle, 32, was carried off the field with a torn Achilles tendon during the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers' Wild Card playoff victory against the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday, Jan. 11.

“Football sucks sometimes. But I love it," the 49ers tight end began an Instagram post on the day after the game. Kittle included some photos of himself on the field and a picture of his wife, Claire Kittle, kissing him in the locker room.

“I love these guys and this team. Heartbroken but have felt so much love and support from everyone reaching out,” Kittle wrote. “I’ll be good. Thank you. We aren’t done yet!”

He added that the team’s owner, Jed York, was “the first person” to meet him in the locker room, which proved to Kittle that he’s “in a special place.” 

“🥃 cheers, all my love,” the caption concluded, seemingly in reference to the reports he asked for tequila after his exit from the field.

The Instagram carousel closed with a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that featured Calvin saying, "You know, Hobbes, some days my lucky rocketship underpants don’t help."

“Well, you’ve done all you can do," Hobbes replied.

“My real life superhero 👊💪😤⚡️," Claire wrote when sharing the post to her Instagram Stories.

“Love you bro 🙌," Kittle's teammate Eddy Piñeiro wrote, while Demarcus Robinson added, “All Love Family We Need That Energy Brothers Keeper ❤️💯.”

Kittle's teammates also offered kind words after their victory against the Eagles. During the post-game press conference, Christian McCaffrey said that "it's a tough loss" that Kittle will miss the rest of the season.

"This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year, and since I got traded here, he's the heart and soul of this team," the running back said.

“When you lose a leader like that, you never really lose him because his presence is still in the locker room...,” McCaffrey added, before concluding, “He's a leader, heart and soul of this team. So praying for him, love him, we're going to play for him the rest of the way."

Kittle was taken off the field during the second quarter after the tight end caught a six-yard pass with around six minutes to play before halftime. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. It was then confirmed that Kittle tore his right Achilles tendon after the catch. 

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The 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 17.

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