George Kittle - , 49ers Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-09 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 9, 2026, George Kittle addressed the media during a press conference for the San Francisco 49ers. The event took place as the team prepared for the upcoming NFL season, providing an opportunity for Kittle to discuss team dynamics and personal insights.
Transcript
Kittle: Howdy, yo, what's up, dude? Nice flow.
Kittle: Thank you.
Kittle: Yes, I would love to but I'd get fined and penalized for it cuz it's a weapon. Trust me. I've thought about it.
Kittle: Maybe one of those are what the AFL refs do. We've been practicing that one.
Kittle: My fingers were not by promise.
Kittle: Yeah, of course, yes.
Kittle: Yes, definitely feel the love it's been awesome. I mean running a couple of walks early in the morning to go get some coffee to a couple different places and everybody's so kind so nice so inviting.
Kittle: You know, it's fun to I've gotten so many compliments from like Play employees places. I've been like, oh you know, everyone's just so polite everyone's just yes, sir. Yes, ma'am I'm just like just proud of my team for you know, you know being the high-class individuals as they've been here.
Kittle: So I know our whole team has enjoyed it. The coaches have enjoyed it. I know John Lynch has enjoyed it. So we've thoroughly enjoyed being here.
Kittle: Body feels really good. It's bounced back really good. I'd say I've really taken a step back towards playing.
Kittle: But besides that, don't know what the workload is. I don't know what Sunday looks or Sunday jeez Louise what Friday morning looks like.
Kittle: Cal so we're in the future. So I don't really know what day it is. But uh, you know, I guess we'll all find out on Friday.
Kittle: Yes, important question, holy shnikes a shoey.
Kittle: That a sandwich dang no, is it a beer a beer out of a boot?
Kittle: Yeah, do you have a boot and a beer? Potentially, I'm pretty sure drinking alcohol is also illegal and you why are you guys ready to get me fined?
Kittle: I've been fined. It's not fun.
Kittle: I'll see what I can do. I have some we have some things thought of so he's got to get in the end zone.
Kittle: You guys are all trying to get me fined.
Kittle: If you if you send me 15 grand, I'll do it.
Kittle: Oh dear. I'm not allowed to touch my hair or my beard without my wife's permission. So if she says yes, then I'll do it.
Kittle: Mike Evans is incredible. I would say one thing I've really enjoyed about Mike Evans is just since he's been here specifically like this week and being out of practice with him.
Kittle: Like we call these plays for him and let's just say for example like he has like some type of widen post and the coaching points are hey you have to be the bottom edge of the numbers by 15 to 20 yards and you have to keep it high and inside.
Kittle: Right like it takes a lot of receivers a lot of time to try to do that like young receivers takes a lot of reps like Mike Evans gets told what play is and then he just does it and he's just like no coaching points.
Kittle: It's just fun to be around somebody who knows that having people backs. Awesome.
Kittle: Shribley's doing a great job. I think our young guys are doing a great job. I'm really excited with our room.
Kittle: Lacey Miles Garrett we play him a couple times. He's a hell of a football player.
Kittle: And Aaron Donald he's really good. So anytime he doesn't play as good for the Niners of him getting like fake tackled or like the explosive tackling stuff that's an old video. It's pretty impressive.
Kittle: Yeah, that guy's really buff too. So he's doing something right.
Kittle: You only get so many opportunities to play football and so you just want to take advantage of those opportunities and you don't want to miss games, you don't be d------, but you want to play as much football as you possibly can before you can't play anymore.
Kittle: Okay. Are you trying to get me fined again? Go crumb, of course.
Kittle: From every Australian person I've met I think they all have great energy and good vibes.
Kittle: And I also feel like I have great energy and good vibes. And so I think also just being your authentic self I think people connect with that pretty easily.
Kittle: Um I went out for coffee on Sunday morning and nothing opened up until 9 a.m. That was kind of weird for me cuz I wanted like a 6 a.m. coffee and there was nothing available.
Kittle: That was odd.
Kittle: Thanks guys.
Kittle: Thank you. I'm feeling great. I'm really excited about the game.
Kittle: Obviously, you're always gonna be excited for week one but I feel like under these circumstances it takes on even a little bit more, you know, and we've man we've loved our time here in Melbourne and I feel like we're very prepared.
Kittle: Couldn't imagine a better week of preparation getting ready for a game and you know to be able to do that so far away from home is a true blessing and so I'm really excited about it.
Kittle: I would put this way above any of those.
Kittle: I just think that as far as like the practice conditions the hotel that we've been at the food that's been provided the body maintenance stuff that's been provided our schedule.
Kittle: You know how close? You know how short of bus rides we've had like there's a lot of things that go into play there.
Kittle: But I think this has been probably the best week of preparation when you you know, group it in there with those those ones you mentioned.
Kittle: Mm-hmm. Yeah, we actually have.
Kittle: You know no free advertising, but I'll give it to him. We've been over to the spa haven I think that's what it's called st. Haven.
Kittle: Yeah, this is st. Haven and they've been incredible.
Kittle: Specifically Christian I we've been there every single day.
Kittle: And they've got everything from hyperbaric chambers to red light to hot and cold plunge to massage acupuncture like literally everything so I haven't had to skimp on any of that stuff.
Kittle: Is that official? Good. Yeah. Hell. Yeah.
Kittle: The thing is no he never stepped out of anything which makes it even more remarkable that he was able to do what he did.
Kittle: But I think I touched on it before that no matter where we were what we were doing whatever fun event we were at he always he still found time to carve out to do his rehab.
Kittle: And it didn't matter if he you know had to get up at 5 30 in the morning to do it or if you know we didn't get back to the hotel till 12.
Kittle: He was he was over there with the towel picking it up with his toes and like constantly doing something.
Kittle: So it was just it was awesome to see that it was always on the back of his mind it was always a priority of his.
Kittle: And I really it's incredible that like I don't think we've made a big enough deal or if hopefully we do here coming up that that he's playing in this game.
Kittle: That is absolutely insane that he tore his Achilles in the second or the first week of the playoffs and he's opening up week one like that's it's awesome man.
Kittle: It's such a testament to his hard work and dedication.
Kittle: Well, I mean I remember we were on a golf trip together, you know all the boys and it was legitimately like 5 30 in the morning and we were getting ready for an early tee time and a bunch of us are you know warming up in the hot tub and I he was right next to us sitting in a chair like with the with the towel just picking it up.
Kittle: And it was all it was all the time. He was always doing that type of stuff.
Kittle: Yeah.
Kittle: Yeah, it was I think it was the it was like our eighth practice or something like that.
Kittle: And it was a very simple block every day. They kick out I think I believe it was on Ramello just led with my hands and just kind of freak accident chipped a part of the bone.
Kittle: But it's it was a really finicky injury. It was different than when I broke my finger like three years ago this one I'm gonna get into too many details.
Kittle: But ligaments got involved and pins had to be put in it.
Kittle: So it's a lot more delicate and fragile than the last one but it's something I've been able to deal with and had a great week of practice here.
Kittle: And I believe two days ago was my first padded practice in like a month, but I felt great.
Kittle: So being able to get that under my belt definitely has me feeling good going into the game and very confident.
Kittle: Yeah, I mean I think any time Aaron Donald's not playing as a plus.
Kittle: So you know, we're definitely you're always gonna be excited about that but you also know what else is behind that and and how deep their defensive line in is and how elite across the board they truly are.
Kittle: So it's not like, you know, if Aaron's not playing there, they're lacking talent on the defensive line.
Kittle: So we know we still have our hands full.
Kittle: So is you know nice to have one down, but we know there's a lot more coming up ever all of them.
Kittle: You know, we're all well aware, you know, Miles Garrett defensive player of the year.
Kittle: We all know what kind of talent he has and but that's you know we've played against them before and I felt like we've handled it well.
Kittle: And you know, we've played against very good defensive lines and we always seem to have a good plan for him.
Kittle: So there it's not like there won't be challenges and it won't be easy, but I feel good about what we have playing for him.
Kittle: Yeah, yeah I mean as far as that goes is like excitement and that type of stuff.
Kittle: I think it really at least for me personally like every game is NFL game.
Kittle: So my energy level might get up level my excitement forward. It really is the same no matter what.
Kittle: As far as playing internationally and like crowd and how that comes into play.
Kittle: I am curious to see, you know what the noise levels are like when we're on offense because I mean, I don't know like are they gonna be cheering against us gonna be cheering for us?
Kittle: You know, it's and like you said in Super Bowls, it's usually a pretty divided crowd.
Kittle: So I am curious to see if anyone has to go on a silent count.
Kittle: That's that's that's really the the biggest thing that I see the crowd like International crowd-changing.
Kittle: At this point no, I mean we're pretty you know dialed into the game and right now it's just about making sure that you know my body and my mind is right.
Kittle: So I don't I don't think I'm gonna be going on too many safaris.
Kittle: I would definitely I wish I would have got my hands on some koalas or kangaroos or whatever, but you know, we got a job to do here and but I have had great experiences I've had incredible food incredible coffee and I've really really enjoyed our time here.
Kittle: I give it a 10. I had a peanut butter latte the other day. That was absolutely insane.
Kittle: Yeah, you know what? We just a couple of us were kind of talking about that this morning.
Kittle: It's been so back of the mind. We've been so focused on what we had to do getting out here.
Kittle: You know you forget that there's gonna be a whole recovery plan getting back.
Kittle: But to be quite honest, like I'm kind of putting that on the back shelf.
Kittle: I will worry about that as soon as the game ends.
Kittle: And I know that you know, the Niners have a great setup, you know prepared for us.
Kittle: So luckily we don't have to think too much in advance about that.
Kittle: So right now it's about just taking care of this game making sure all the preparation that we did well, you know was for good reason and then we'll worry about getting ready for you too.
Kittle: I think we've um, you know, I might not be completely correct but I think we've been moved up a little bit.
Kittle: At least I've been getting up earlier than I usually do but I've kind of I've just been on a earlier I've been going to bed earlier.
Kittle: So getting up earlier.
Kittle: And I know for you know game day I think we're playing at like 1030 or whatever.
Kittle: So that's it's a good thing that I feel like majority of the team has been up a lot earlier.
Kittle: So come Friday, I think that's gonna be a lot more natural for us to be up early and be ready to go for that earlier kickoff.
Kittle: Um probably Columbia 20.
Kittle: I actually do feel like we had like an earlier game in college, but it might not have been 10 a.m.
Kittle: Yeah.
Kittle: Yeah.
Kittle: Um, I you might be able to pull it off with you know with the bye week and everything.
Kittle: But I said from as soon as I found out that this was happening I thought in my opinion that week one was the best week for it.
Kittle: Just because you know you have that time.
Kittle: You're not you're not taking away from a previous week's preparation for a game like, you know, we're eating in more to like training camp.
Kittle: So I feel like that was good for us to give us time to travel and that type of stuff.
Kittle: I it would be tough to do this mid-season.
Kittle: I'm sure we'll get to that point and that'll be a regular thing in the NFL.
Kittle: But for now, I'm happy that it was week one.
Kittle: Yeah, she is.
Kittle: Yeah, I would not be surprised in the slightest.
Kittle: I know she was trying to work on something for the game and was trying to figure out the the flag situation in Australia.
Kittle: But I don't think it ended up coming together.
Kittle: We got too confused on how to stitch things together.
Kittle: But I could definitely see her drawing some inspiration.
Kittle: Thanks guys, it's been great.
Kittle: We've done a really good job of just giving guys everything they need.
Kittle: No, they mentioned the st. Haven spa. That's been really nice.
Kittle: Honestly, we've had more out here than we usually have I feel like so it's been great.
Kittle: It's been a really good week on the body like this facility here is awesome.
Kittle: The hotel has great amenities and then we have that spa that we've been going to so everything's been really good.
Kittle: I haven't talked to Chris yet, but I'm gonna hope for no reservations, but we'll see what he says.
Kittle: Went great. Yeah.
Kittle: He's been like a vet from the beginning.
Kittle: I remember in OTA's I was watching all the rookies and just doing drills and I was really impressed.
Kittle: Especially because him and and Bryson were undrafted so I was like damn these guys have the tools to be NFL players.
Kittle: And then with JT it's just the the mental aspect is different than most.
Kittle: He's he's really well-rounded human being.
Kittle: So I think he's got all the tools and the mentality to to be a really good player for us.
Kittle: Honestly, I don't know what to expect.
Kittle: I know I've only played in one out of the country game and it was in Mexico City and that was one of the cooler environments that I played in.
Kittle: So I'm really excited.
Kittle: I know the field is ginormous.
Kittle: So we might be in the very middle of it far away from the fans, but I hope it's nice and loud because I come to to expect the Niners to show up faithful one more time.
Kittle: Ah, she's one of the best to do it.
Kittle: He gets the ball out quick obviously big arm accurate veteran.
Kittle: So yeah.
Kittle: Yeah, it was it was a weird weird thing.
Kittle: I didn't really know what happened to him, but terrible really unfortunate for him and Sam Camp ends and those two guys get those unlucky breaks which stinks.
Kittle: But I we've using meetings this morning.
Kittle: So we talked to him a little bit, but I texted him last night and just kind of let him know that there's really nothing anybody could say to you in that moment.
Kittle: Or throughout the entire process.
Kittle: Honestly, like you could have guys tell you keep your head up as much as you want but they're not gonna be there when you go under and get your surgery done or the nine two months to a year where you're grinding away from the team by yourself to get back.
Kittle: So it's all great to have the support but he has to do it for himself and he just has to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Kittle: And I told him I've been through it a few times.
Kittle: So he just needs to take it one day at a time a little bit.
Kittle: Yeah the first few days did a little coffee tour and then I went out to dinner a couple spots and people are super nice like just really really good people it seems like so really cool city.
Kittle: Yeah, I mean I'd like to explore a little more but it's a business trip.
Kittle: It's a lifting sleeve so it traps the heat in there really well, so it keeps attending nice and warm because in football obviously or you're stopping and starting a lot your offense is on the field.
Kittle: So you're sitting down a lot not not moving as much.
Kittle: So just keeps it nice and warm.
Kittle: I've played them many times.
Kittle: So I'm expecting a really tough game.
Kittle: They're always prepared they're always really have a good plan for us and I think the key is to stop the run and make it one-dimensional, but they have a lot of weapons.
Kittle: So it'll be tough.
Kittle: It's amazing.
Kittle: Yeah, me and him were both out last year.
Kittle: So yeah, it's it's hard to imagine playing with some anybody else at middle linebacker.
Kittle: I've played within my whole career so he's just like a safety blanket behind me at all times.
Kittle: Yeah, I mean it's it's never a dull moment.
Kittle: You you could think you're through the worst of it and then you have a setback or something.
Kittle: I've been lucky where I've been able to come back from a few of them and get to my myself out there on the field, but it's it's a grind.
Kittle: And there's some days where you you go to bed thinking like damn I don't know if I'm gonna be alright and then the next day you feel good and it's just a roller coaster.
Kittle: So I'm I'm feeling really happy.
Kittle: I mean I can couldn't be happier with where I'm at 100% ready to go for the first game.
Kittle: So it's gonna be great.
Kittle: Um, no Aussie words. No, Chuck is sick.
Kittle: He was the one that just stuck in my mind for some reason.
Kittle: No, I don't think so.
Kittle: What's that?
Kittle: Oh order I thought he said word somebody's told me there's a preparation I forget what it was called, but it's it's like a ristretto shot and like kind of like a corsado like half-and-half.
Kittle: Magic that's what it's yeah.
Kittle: So I learned that but my coffee order is usually I like a pour over.
Kittle: So I like to I like to try different like specialty coffee blends and do some tastings some cuppings.
Kittle: One more time I'm just two of the best teams in the league.
Kittle: I think going at it for second game of the year.
Kittle: So I think just a lot of energy and and just the highest level of football being played.
