George Kittle might have cost the 49ers a possession in their 25-22 Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.
The tight end’s chattiness – picked up by microphones on the “NFL Turning Point” show – proved costly on the team’s opening drive, which was smooth sailing until running back Christian McCaffrey fumbled the football and Kittle missed the pickup.
Instead, he was finishing off a block against Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis and thinking the play was over, he turned to his opponent to say “Hey George.”
Karlaftis didn’t pay any mind to the greeting when he noticed the football loose on the ground.
He quickly pounced on it to beat Kittle to the ball and gain possession for the Chiefs, who have now won three Super Bowls within the last five seasons.
As the clip plays, the announcer can be heard saying, “Kittle had a chance to get it.”
The single play didn’t cost San Francisco the big game, however it was a missed opportunity to send an early message to the Chiefs in a first half where points were hard to come by.
On the Chiefs’ ensuing possession, they went three-and-out and didn’t score until the final minute of the first half.
Fans were quick to criticize upon viewing the clip that circulated social media on Thursday.
“One dude has his mind on ball. Other dude wanted to talk. No wonder KC won that game they were more prepared in every way,” an X user wrote.
“Kittle was trying to be funny and missed the ball on the ground,” another posted.
Another posted on X that this was an example of the difference between the two teams.
“It’s the little things that make a team a champion. Knowing the rules, playing to the whistle…dynasty for a reason.”
Other fans, though, defended Kittle.
“Was George Kittle having fun? Yes. Was Kittle still locked in shuffling his feet to stay in-front of Karlaftis? Yes,” he wrote.
“In no way should Kittle be expected to see behind his head and see the fumble. Blaming Kittle when his back is turned is ridiculous.”
Kittle was largely invisible in the passing game for the 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, catching two of his three targets for a four yards.
He later suffered a shoulder injury that saw him leave during the 49ers’ overtime possession with the Super Bowl on the line, but Kittle returned to the field in the same possession with 9:43 remaining.
This season, he earned his fifth Pro-Bowl nod and second All-Pro after putting up 1,020 yards for six touchdowns.
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