Key Highlights
- George Kittle shares a humorous anecdote about playing the Philadelphia Eagles.
- The 49ers and Eagles have a contentious history, with significant wins on both sides.
- Kittle appreciates the hostility from Eagles fans as it shows their passion for their team.
- Recalls an amusing incident during his rookie season at Lincoln Financial Field.
The 49ers’ Playoff Rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle always enjoys sharing a humorous anecdote, and this time he’s talking about his experiences playing against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Niners are currently in Philadelphia to face their Super Bowl-champion rivals in the Wild-Card Round of the 2025 NFL season.
A Contested History
The 49ers and Eagles have a fraught history, with notable wins on both sides. In 2022, the Niners suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, losing by a score of 31-7. However, the tables turned dramatically the following year when the 49ers triumphed over the Eagles with a dominant 42-19 victory during the regular season.
This game was pivotal for Brock Purdy’s rise to prominence as a serious NFL quarterback candidate. The rivalry is so intense that it extends beyond just the players and coaches, affecting the entire team dynamic when traveling to Philadelphia.
George Kittle on the Hostility
Kittle, who has clearly embraced this competitive environment, said, “The one thing that’s really unique about Philly is they don’t really, maybe a division rival is different, but any other road team that goes in there, they hate all of us equally,” to NBC Sports Bay Area. He continued, “I just appreciate that. It’s incredibly loud, they flip you off, they moon you on your bus ride in, but they do that to anybody.” Kittle noted, “It doesn’t matter if you’re the Niners or the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They just give you that no matter what, and I appreciate that because you can tell how much they love their team.”
Kittle’s appreciation for this hostility is evident as he believes it highlights the Eagles’ passion. He added, “I thoroughly enjoy it because it’s so unique every single time,” and recalled, “I’ll never forget my rookie season, the year they won the Super Bowl. We’re pulling in, it’s my first time playing at the Linc, and there were four 10-year-old kids holding a 7-foot tall paper-maché middle finger that had a rotating thing on that made the middle come up.
That was the coolest thing. I’ll never forget it. It was my rookie year, and I was like, ‘This is excellent.'”
The Implications for the Playoff Game
The 49ers will need to block out or use this hostility to their advantage in the playoffs. The 2023 game where the Niners dominated with a score of 42-19 serves as a reminder that a dominant performance is possible, even against such hostile fans.
While Kittle’s story highlights the unique experience of playing at Lincoln Financial Field, it also underscores the challenges and opportunities for the 49ers in this pivotal matchup. A victory could rank among the best games of Shanahan’s coaching legacy and solidify their position as a formidable playoff contender.
Published on: January 3, 2026 | By Henry Cheal