“It connects my life and childhood to every single game”: How George Kittle’s father keeps him grounded with emotional letters before his important NFL games

George Kittle has plenty of reasons to get fired up before an NFL game. But for the San Francisco 49ers tight end, one of his most personal pregame routines begins with a letter from his father, Bruce Kittle. The letters go beyond the usual words of encouragement. They connect George to his childhood, remind him of the person he was before NFL fame and help him prepare for the pressure that comes with playing at the highest level.The tradition began during George’s sophomore year at the University of Iowa and continued as his career took off. Before games, he reads his father’s words on the team bus and in the locker room. Over time, those notes grew into detailed stories that bring family memories, football lessons and even The Lord of the Rings into his preparation. How Bruce Kittle turns pregame letters into a personal ritualBruce does not simply tell his son to go out and play well. He thinks carefully about what George needs to hear before each game. In an Athletic report, Bruce explained that the letters reflect his view of how to help his son stay focused.“My letters are my vision of what George needs to hear to keep his head on straight,” Bruce said in the report. He also wants George to “keep his feet on the ground, make sure his ego is in check and be the guy he needs to be for his team.”That message takes on added weight as Kittle grows into one of the NFL’s most recognizable tight ends. The attention around him can be loud, but his father’s letters bring him back to the things that matter to his game: staying humble, trusting his preparation and putting the team first.His mother, Jan, also helps Bruce edit the letters. The notes include pictures, making them more personal than a standard motivational speech. George has described how the tradition has changed over the years.Kittle explained that the letters had evolved from “a pregame hype speech to a pregame story.” He added, “It connects my life and childhood to every single game.” A 12-page letter before the NFC Championship GameBruce’s letters can get remarkably detailed. Before the 49ers faced the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on January 19, 2020, he wrote George a 12-page letter. Rather than relying only on football talk, Bruce drew on stories from “The Lord of the Rings”, using its battles and characters to frame the challenge ahead.He also worked NFL Next Gen Stats and analytics into his writing. The idea was to give George useful details while helping him picture the challenge in a way that made sense to him.Still, the letters were not simply about getting George fired up. Bruce wanted his son to stay calm when the stakes rose. As he explained in the same report, “To me, the bigger the stakes, the more stillness you need to really excel at a higher level.”That approach offers a glimpse into the preparation behind Kittle’s intensity on the field. Fans see the celebrations, physical blocks and big plays. Before kickoff, though, he also makes time for a quieter routine built around his father’s words.The letters cannot guarantee a win, but they give George something that statistics and game plans cannot provide on their own: a reminder of where he came from and the values he carries into every game.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.