By Jerry Mcdonald | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group
The 49ers’ tight end, recently the recipient of a four-year, $76 million contract extension, wrapped up another Tight End University summit in late June with co-founders Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen. Next up for Kittle is his first appearance at the American Century Open at Edgewood Resort in Lake Tahoe. He said he intends to relax “with a few drinks” before staring down a narrow gallery of fans who are clearly in harm’s way.
“My anxiety couldn’t be any higher,” Kittle said in a Zoom call arranged by the tournament, which starts July 9. “I’ve been playing golf four days in a row, trying to get used to it a little bit, then I have all my buddies chirp at me the entire time. I’m not a professional golfer. I swing really hard and get out of the way in the driver’s box.”
Kittle isn’t a serious golfer — he’s listed as a 250-to-1 shot to win — but he’s serious about football. He helped get Tight End University off the ground with Kelce and Olsen in 2021. There were more than 80 attendees this year in Nashville. Last year’s event raised more than $900,000 in charitable donations.
Players and significant others are flown to Nashville, their travel and lodging taken care of by sponsorships. Kittle’s wife Claire has events for the women on hand, and a concert this year included a performance from Kelce’s famous girlfriend Taylor Swift.
Peter Raskin of Rubicon Talent, whose agency represents Kittle and Olsen, told Front Office Sports, “We might look at other cities moving forward.”
It’s nothing Kittle had in mind during the first Tight End U. Most of the original tight ends have been to all five.
“We thought we’d have 15 to 20 guys and do it once,” Kittle said. “And then it just went so well, we thought let’s try it again and it keeps growing and growing. We threw concerts last year and this year and am just thoroughly enjoying tight ends to get together.”
For the first time this year, ESPN set up live at Vanderbilt University in Nashville with Dan Orlovsky and Laura Rutledge conducting interviews as tight ends went through detailed workouts designed to improve their route running and blocking.
“One of my favorite things is when I get a vet, a guy going into year 4, 5 or 6 and they come up to me or Travis and Greg and say, ‘I want to say thanks so much for continuing to include me,'” Kittle said. “I pick up something new every year.”
The Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, along with veterans Von Miller and Cam Jordan, held a pass rush summit at UNLV this year. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was on the Zoom call with Kittle, said he can’t imagine such a thing happening at his position.
“I don’t actually envision the quarterbacks getting together,” Mayfield said. “Tight ends are a different breed. They’re all ball, like to work hard, play hard. Quarterbacks are weird, man. They don’t want to give their secrets away.”
Tight End U also held a golf tournament in Nashville that had at least one moment of slapstick entertainment that won’t happen at Edgewood.
“One of the Browns’ tight ends tried a Happy Gilmore in-the-air (shot) and whiffed,” Kittle said. “He did a 360 in the air and landed on his face. He signed a waiver so I’m not responsible, but it was one of the funnier things I’ve seen on a golf course.”
Kittle hopes to be back at Tahoe for the first-ever Grand Slam of Curling from Nov. 4-9, although his football schedule may not allow it. Kittle is an investor in the event after having joined a curling league two years ago in Nashville.
“It was a lot of fun and we ended up getting fourth place, which I thought was pretty good for first-time curlers,” Kittle said. “Just trying to get more fans interested in curling.”
Co-favorites for the American Century Open are the Warriors’ Stephen Curry and former tennis pro Mardy Fish, who went to the wire before Curry won in 2023.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Mayfield at 1,000-to-1, with NBA analyst Charles Barkley at 7,500-to-1.
“If I beat Charles, then I’ll be all right,” Kittle said. “I’d love to chirp at Charles too. That’d be fun.”
