In a dominant performance at Levi’s Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers cruised to a 37-24 victory over the struggling Tennessee Titans, extending their winning streak to four games and improving to 10-4 on the season. Brock Purdy dazzled with 295 passing yards and three touchdowns, while the defense held firm despite late garbage-time scores from the visitors.
The 49ers’ offense clicked early and often, with George Kittle proving instrumental once again. The Pro Bowl tight end hauled in eight receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, including a crucial one-yard score that capped a 95-yard drive and pushed the lead to 31-10 in the third quarter, showcasing his reliability in the red zone.
As teammates erupted in celebration on the field—high-fiving and embracing under the California sun—the mood shifted noticeably for Kittle. The usually exuberant tight end, known for his infectious energy, skipped the postgame festivities and quietly slipped out of Levi’s Stadium shortly after the final whistle, his demeanor subdued amid the triumph.
In the locker room, head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media with a somber tone, revealing the heartbreaking news that had weighed on Kittle throughout the game. Shanahan explained that Kittle had been carrying the burden of devastating personal tidings involving his close friend and former teammate, Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, sidelined all season recovering from a severe knee injury suffered the previous year, had seen his relationship with the organization fracture irreparably. The 49ers officially designated him as “reserve/left squad,” signaling no return in 2025 and likely the end of his tenure in San Francisco, a development that deeply saddened Kittle.
Kittle had spoken openly days earlier about his affection for Aiyuk, calling him one of his favorite teammates and admitting the situation “makes me sad.” The news of Aiyuk’s permanent departure hit Kittle hard, turning what should have been a joyous victory into a poignant reminder of football’s transient bonds and personal losses.
Shanahan praised Kittle’s professionalism, noting how the tight end channeled his emotions into a strong performance despite the distraction. “George played with a heavy heart today,” Shanahan said, highlighting the quiet strength that allowed Kittle to contribute significantly while grappling with the grief over losing a brother-like figure in the locker room.
This emotional layer added profound drama to an otherwise routine win, underscoring the human side of the NFL where triumphs on the field often coexist with off-field heartaches. For Kittle, the victory felt bittersweet, as he left the stadium to process the sad reality of bidding farewell to a cherished friend in the game.
