George Kittle tattoos: A look at 49ers star's various inks and the meaning behind them
George Kittle made his second trip to the Super Bowl in 2024 after entering the league in 2017. The San Francisco 49ers tight end has made a name as one of the top players at his position during seven NFL seasons.
Apart from his love for the game, Kittle is one of the league's great characters off the field. The player has numerous tattoos. Some depict the close relationship he has with his family, while others provide insight into what he enjoys outside of football.
Let's look at some of George Kittle's tattoos and what they stand for.
George Kittle tattoos and what they symbolize
George Kittle said that the bear paw tattoo on his right bicep symbolizes his family's badge. The 49ers tight end said that every member of his family has a similar bear paw tattoo.
Kittle also has the word "BELIEVE" tattooed on his right arm. Bruce, his father, said that NBA icon Kobe Bryant served as a major inspiration for that tattoo in terms of mindset, assurance and dedication.
“We have always placed a strong emphasis on visualization,” Bruce Kittle said about his son in 2016, when George Kittle played at the University of Iowa. “He is required to set goals and prepare action steps for those goals. Part of the goal-setting process included visualizing successfully accomplishing your goals."
A contributing factor to the "Believe" phenomenon is that he is a huge Kobe Bryant admirer. "Kobe was a great believer,” according to Kittle's father.
Kittle also has a tattoo on his left arm that depicts the pinnacle of Longs Peak, a mountain in Colorado's Rockies, according to heavy.com. In an interview with a radio program in 2018, Kittle said that, as a child, he and his father would go to the 14,000-foot mountains every summer.
Another tattoo on George Kittle's left arm features the face of the Joker, a well-known villain who was portrayed by Heath Ledger in the film "The Dark Knight.” Kittle decided to get that tattoo a day before his wedding in April 2019.
When questioned about the meaning behind his Joker tattoo in 2020, Kittle told ESPN's Nick Wagoner that his main goal is to cause damage on the field.
“Obviously, I don't wish to channel the entire Joker because he has his share of problems. All I really want to do is create small chaos,” Kittle said. "I'm just trying to be the craziest, most outgoing person on the field.”
The Joker is renowned for acting erratically and in a disorderly manner. Tattoos of the Joker are more than just a simple homage to the character; they represent chaos, revolt, a fascination with disarray and many more ideas.
Kittle expanded his collection of tattoos in 2023 by adding a tribute to the Keanu Reeves-helmed "The Matrix" film series. Kittle has a tattoo of the phrase "There is no spoon" on his left forearm. The tattoo is in the design of the Matrix, depicted as a bent spoon.