In the game of football, you win or you lose – there is no middle ground. George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers‘ tight end, seems to have taken this “Game of Thrones” philosophy to heart. Netflix’s new series “Receiver” captures a moment that would make Daenerys Targaryen’s quest for the Iron Throne look like a friendly game of catch. Kittle, his face a storm of emotions, vows revenge against the Kansas City Chiefs with the intensity of a Dothraki war cry.

The show, which shadows five NFL pass catchers throughout the 2023 season, offers an unfiltered glimpse into Kittle’s mindset after the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. Brace yourselves, football fans—Kittle’s determination is about to redefine vengeance.

“I’m big into speaking things into existence. Otherwise it might not never happen. I will be back here. I will be back with motherf**king vengeance,” Kittle declares, his words as sharp as Valyrian steel. The snippet shows the fateful Super Bowl defeat in February. Kittle is devastated, the disappointment etched across his face morphs into something more primal—a simmering rage

Like the Joker tattoo inked on his arm, Kittle’s determination is etched deep. He often slaps this tattoo to reset his focus during games, a ritual dating back to his Iowa days when he’d hit a piece of red tape on his arm after a mistake. It’s this blend of mental toughness and physical prowess that makes Kittle a force to be reckoned with, even in the face of the Chiefs’ budding dynasty.

The Chiefs’ quest for a three-peat is the stuff of NFL legend, akin to the Lannisters’ grip on the Seven Kingdoms. They’ve become the league’s new powerhouse, with back-to-back Super Bowl wins cementing their place in history. Head coach Andy Reid, as cryptic as the Three-Eyed Raven, mused after the Super 58 win, “What a game, right? It could have gone either way. I feel fortunate to have been on the positive side.” But for Kittle and the 49ers, it’s a defeat that stings worse than wildfire.

Kittle’s stats tell the tale of a man possessed. In the 2023-2024 NFL regular season, he hauled in 65 receptions, proving he’s as reliable as a Valyrian steel sword. He tied for first among tight ends with 29 gains of 15-plus yards and led the position in deep receiving yards with 232. But numbers mean little when you’re watching your opponents celebrate on the field you thought you’d conquer.

The making of George Kittle Iowa’s golden boy

Kittle’s journey from the heartlands of Iowa to the NFL’s grand stage is a tale worthy of a bard’s song. Born into a family of athletes, with a father who played offensive line at Iowa and a mother enshrined in the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame, Kittle was destined for gridiron glory.

His transformation at the University of Iowa rivals Arya Stark’s training montage. Arriving as a 185-pound sapling, Kittle forged himself into a 220-pound warrior during his college years. It’s this same iron will that now fuels his quest to dethrone the Chiefs and claim the Super Bowl glory that has twice slipped through his grasp like water.

The relationship between Kittle and Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce adds another layer to this gridiron saga. Despite their on-field rivalry, the two remain as close as Tyrion and Jaime Lannister, co-founding Tight End University. Kelce, ever the diplomat, recently lauded Kittle: “He’s the best tight end in the league. He’s been playing lights out, playing the best football of his career and really catapulting that San Fran team through the playoffs, man.”

Pro Football Focus seems to agree, ranking Kittle ahead of Kelce in their list of top tight ends. But like Jon Snow refusing the Iron Throne, Kittle’s not interested in individual glory. His eyes are set on the ultimate prize, and he won’t rest until he’s hoisting that Lombardi Trophy.

As the 49ers regroup and sharpen their swords for another championship campaign, one thing’s certain: George Kittle will be leading the charge, his eyes blazing with the fire of revenge. The Chiefs may be dreaming of a three-peat, but Kittle’s nightmare is just beginning.