Jake Moody Faces Tough Season, But George Kittle’s Support Shines Through
San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody has had a challenging 2024 season, converting only 23 of his 32 field goal attempts— a stark contrast to his impressive 21-of-25 record as a rookie. Despite battling a high ankle sprain, Moody has persevered, bolstered by the unwavering support of his teammates.
A recent viral video, with 2.1 million views on the KNBR version on Twitter, has 49ers fans buzzing about an interaction between Moody and veteran tight end George Kittle.
Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions added to Moody’s struggles, as he missed two crucial field goals—a 51-yarder before halftime and a 58-yarder in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game. The latter miss was particularly significant, as it could have shifted the momentum in the 49ers’ favor. Following the miss, Kittle was seen speaking to Moody on the sideline, piquing curiosity about their exchange.
Moody later revealed the details of their conversation. “[Kittle] patted me on the back and said, ‘Do you believe in yourself?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘I believe in you then. We know you work hard, we trust you. Keep going.’ Words of encouragement,” Moody shared.
Kittle’s steadfast support highlights his belief in Moody’s potential, even as the young kicker described the game as one of the lowest moments of his football career. “I’m a huge fan of Jake,” Kittle said postgame. “He’s made some big kicks for us when we needed him. Tonight was a really tough night for him, and I feel horrible for him. I know his expectations of himself are higher than that. And all I said to say, ‘Man, you got great kicks ahead of you. Just keep going. Just keep believing in yourself, you know.’”
As the 49ers navigate a challenging season, Kittle’s encouragement reflects the team’s resolve to lift each other up, even in the most difficult circumstances. Moments like these underscore the strong camaraderie within the 49ers locker room, where veteran leadership and unwavering support are crucial as the team works to overcome adversity together.
