Kittle, Warner set a true example of leadership, character.
“A star wants to see himself rise to the top. A leader wants to see those around him rise to the top.” - Simon Sinek
The leadership of any organization will define its success. A lack of which, will immediately secure its failure. Early in 2017, the San Francisco 49ers would establish the hierarchy of the organization in the hirings of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. The future leaders and faces of the franchise would come soon after, from vastly different places.
In their first offseason, Lynch and Shanahan would make two decisions in the 2017 draft that they could never have imaged would redefine the 49ers franchise, and possibly the way positions are played for the better part of the next decade. Originally picking number two overall, the 49ers traded with the Chicago Bears, moving down one spot to select defensive tackle Solomon Thomas out of Stanford, while also picking up an additional third round pick in the 2018 draft. The real excitement from that night came when the 49ers traded back into the first round to select linebacker Reuben Foster at number 31 overall, with most believing that the 49ers had secured their next star linebacker. As they continued to rebuild and fill out their roster in the draft, the 49ers selected a tight end from Iowa that would become the face of the franchise in George Kittle. These moves would create excitement among the Faithful, but the true nature and realization of how impactful they would be would not come until the 2018 draft and season in a very unexpected way.
Expectations were high entering the 2018 offseason as the 49ers had just ended the 2017 season with five straight wins after installing Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback after acquiring him on a Halloween night trade with the New England Patriots. Garoppolo was extended following the season, and the 49ers used their first-round pick to protect him with the selection of Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey. On defense, it would not be the two first round picks from the previous year that made a mark but would be the third-round pick acquired from the Bears trade the prior year that would change the fortunes of the defense. That would be Fred Warner from BYU, and he would immediately assert himself as a leader of the defense by taking over the “green dot” helmet, giving him control of on-field play calling. The results in 2018, however, did not meet the high expectations entering the season, as Garoppolo would tear an ACL early in the season, forcing the 49ers to turn to backup quarterbacks C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens to finish the season. Foster, in only his second season, would repeatedly find trouble off the field, and would be dismissed from the team during the season. Though 2018 was a lost season, the silver linings were clear.
Fred Warner started all sixteen games his rookie season, totaling 124 tackles and claiming his role as the leader of a 49ers defense that was about to become one of the top units in football in 2019. Kittle would explode in the 2018 season, gathering 88 receptions for 1,377 yards, setting the NFL single-season record for yards by a tight end. He also set the league record for yards after catch with 873 and earned the first of many Pro Bowl invitations. Statistically, both Warner and Kittle had established themselves as stars for the 49ers, but it was their off-field actions that would truly define them both as leaders of the franchise.
Both men's work in the community could never be understated. Warner has given back to his Hispanic heritage as a part of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, which hands out scholarships and career readiness programs to future Hispanic leaders. Warner also showed his commitment to his teammates throughout last season by playing the majority of the season on a fractured ankle he sustained against the New England Patriots, still earning 1st team All-Pro honors. Kittle has involved himself in many veteran related programs, stemming from mental health-related programs to providing veterans with game tickets. Kittle was recognized with the 2024 NFL Salute to Service Award for his commitment to veteran causes. Kittle’s drive to grow the game of football has been well documented with the creation of Tight End University, his effort to turn one of the more historically overlooked position groups into a premier position by teaching advanced techniques and fundamentals among and by peers.
Their commitment to their team and drive to once again reach the top of the NFL could not have been more evident than this offseason. With both players up for contract extensions, most feared that hold outs and public negotiations would be a given. As OTAs began in April, there was no sign of George Kittle to start, but he would show up to welcome first round pick Mykel Williams to the team and to be a participant with his teammates. On April 29th, a contract extension making Kittle the highest paid tight end in football was announced. No drama, no posturing, no negotiating through social media. Less than a month later, on May 22nd, with very little media buzz, Warner’s extension was also announced, keeping him in Santa Clara through the 2029 season.
Recently in sports in general, we are in an era where player/team loyalty is rare, and for a fan to purchase a jersey of their favorite player is a gamble in longevity. The Warner and Kittle style of negotiating is refreshing. Putting the success of the whole over their personal gain is a throwback in the sports business. In a time where ring chasing has become more and more prevalent, watching these two players that have a common goal of building up the only franchise they have played for into a championship caliber team is the rarity. But it is a rarity that should make the Faithful proud to be fans of the 49ers, not only as a football team, but of the character of the players donning the scarlet and gold.