49ers tight end George Kittle was an integral cog in the formation of the inaugural Tight End University – a summit for tight ends to work together and improve during the down-period of the NFL offseason.
Kittle, along with Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and recently-retired TE Greg Olsen helped put together the workouts for 49 NFL tight ends in Nashville, Tenn.
A few videos from the sessions surfaced, but the NFL posted a longer behind-the-scenes look at what went on at TEU both on and off the field. While the summit was for NFL tight ends, the group also helped out the local Boys and Girls Club and offered youth activities.
Respect the position.
First @te_university summit: ✅ #uniTE pic.twitter.com/KvAZxO5YNy
— NFL (@NFL) June 27, 2021
Kittle hasn’t been afraid to help lead the charge to get more recognition for his position, and the first ever TEU was a rousing success. He told ESPN he was anticipating around 20 players showing up. It wound up landing at 49, and the goal according to Kittle is to expand the event going forward.
In a time when the tight end position is becoming a more valuable weapon in NFL offenses, an annual offseason session like this one could be helpful across the league.