Meet George Kittle’s Basketball Star Mom Jan Krieger & O-Lineman Dad Bruce Kittle

Ever since going pro, the San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle has won over a ton of fans. And not just in the Bay area but throughout the footballing world. He has achieved this because of his extraordinary outlook towards life and athletics, neither of which should come as a shock, looking at his parentage.

Kittle is the youngest son of Bruce Kittle and Jan Krieger, both of whom have had decorated collegiate sporting careers. Bruce Kittle joined the University of Iowa, pursuing his law degree. It was here that Kittle Sr. got lettered four times and even took his college to the Rose Bowl in 1982. The offensive lineman later took on the coaching job at the same university that one day his son would also graduate from.

In an interview with KTVU, Bruce Kittle described George as “fearless, imaginative, and overly energetic.” While he can take part of the credit for his son inheriting athletic prowess, that’s only half the story. George’s mother, Jan, is the other half. Recently inducted into the Hall of Fame for basketball at her high school, Jan Krieger expanded her sporting expertise beyond basketball after leaving Iowa Girls’ High School.

Krieger started college at Drake University and went on to play both softball and basketball. She earned the All-American title with her basketball team as well. Raising George to be the best version of himself, Bruce and Jan led by example. Now that the star tight end is doing what he loves, the fact that he was born on a football Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin, was like destiny. As reported by KTVU, “Each night, when Jan and Bruce put George to sleep in his crib, they made sure George’s University of Wisconsin Badger stuffed animal and a football were with him.”

Watching him become a better player every day, Bruce recalled a high school game that was like a defining moment in George’s budding career. The then-teenager made an “unbelievable, sprinting catch.” Considering his father was his coach, Bruce saw George for what he could become in that moment. He reminisced, “I almost teared up. The defender was all over him, and I was like, ‘Huh, I see you, kid.’” And now, George Kittle is edging ever closer to what could be another career-defining moment.

There’s no doubt that, come Super Bowl Sunday, Bruce Kittle and Jan Krieger will be in Las Vegas, cheering their son’s team on. However, as they eagerly hope to watch George lift the Lombardi Trophy, the signs of him competing don’t look too good.

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Whatever happens, George Kittle will “go have fun”

Four years ago, the San Francisco 49ers were on the losing side of the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, this year, it will be a fight for George Kittle to even step inside the gridiron. Kittle is suffering from a toe injury he picked up against the Detroit Lions. The 30-year-old has not been part of the practice sessions leading up to the Super Bowl. And his fight, first and foremost, will be against the clock.

However, no matter if he’ll be on the field or the sidelines, there’s one thing for sure. He’ll be having fun just being at the Allegiant Stadium. Being the happy-go-mucky person George Kittle is, his father believes that attitude comes from his grandmother. In the interview with KTVU, he revealed, “Her favorite line is, ‘You have to take your good times with ya.’” 

Considering the season he’s had, the tight end has seemingly taken the good times with him everywhere and every time the 49ers have played. So, come Sunday, whether or not Kittle gets to play, one thing’s for certain. “Go have fun” will be the last words Bruce Kittle will say to his son in the 2023 NFL season before the 49ers face off for their sixth Super Bowl title.

Do you think George Kittle will make it to the gridiron on Sunday? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

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