George Kittle’s sideline encouragement highlights the San Francisco 49ers’ faith in their young kicker.
San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody has endured a difficult 2024 season, converting just 23 of 32 field goal attempts, a significant drop from his reliable 21-of-25 rookie campaign.
The young kicker, battling through a high ankle sprain, has faced adversity on the field, but his teammates have consistently rallied behind him, offering support during tough moments.
And in a video going viral – the KNBR version has 2.1 million views on Twitter – 49ers fans find themselves amazed specifically about what George Kittle did.
The 49ers Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions was another low point for Moody, who missed two crucial field goals—a 51-yarder just before halftime and a 58-yarder in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game. The latter miss proved especially costly, as it squandered an opportunity to shift momentum late in the game. Following the miss, veteran tight end George Kittle was seen speaking to Moody on the sideline, sparking curiosity about the exchange.
Moody later shared the details of the conversation.
Jake Moody reveals what George Kittle said to him as they were exiting the field at halftime.
MOODY: “He said, ‘Do you believe in yourself?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Well I believe in you then.'”
KITTLE: “He’s got the leg for it, we just gotta get his confidence in himself.” pic.twitter.com/SuKesjQ9OK
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 31, 2024
“[Kittle] patted me on the back and said, ‘Do you believe in yourself?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘I believe in you then. We know you work hard, we trust you. Keep going.’ Words of encouragement,” Moody explained.
Kittle’s unwavering support underscores his belief in Moody’s potential, despite the young kicker describing the performance as one of the lowest moments of his football career.
“I’m a huge fan of Jake,” Kittle said postgame. “He’s made some big kicks for us when we needed him. Tonight was a really tough night for him, and I feel horrible for him. I know his expectations of himself are higher than that. And all I said to say, ‘Man, you got great kicks ahead of you. Just keep going. Just keep believing in yourself, you know.’”
As the 49ers navigate a challenging season, Kittle’s encouragement reflects the team’s resolve to lift each other up, even in the most difficult circumstances. Moments like these highlight the strong camaraderie within the 49ers locker room, where veteran leadership and unwavering support remain crucial as the team works to overcome adversity together.