Introduction

As Super Bowl 60 approaches, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle expresses his disdain for the idea of watching another team celebrate their victory at Levi's Stadium. The matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on Sunday fuels Kittle's frustration, particularly given recent events in his team's season.

Kittle's Super Bowl Sentiment

In a candid interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, Kittle made it clear how much he loathes the thought of the Super Bowl taking place in his home stadium.

"Honestly, I hope both teams lose," Kittle joked, capturing the sentiment of many 49ers fans who understandably wish for nothing more than to see their team succeed in postseason play. The irony of hoping for a tie in the Super Bowl, a scenario that is virtually impossible given the structure of the game, highlights the frustration of Kittle and the team this year.

The Season's Challenges

The 2023 season has been particularly challenging for Kittle and the 49ers. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during the NFC Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles, marking a devastating end to his season. The injury occurred early in the game, leaving fans of San Francisco devastated as they witnessed their star player unable to compete further.

Following Kittle's injury, the 49ers faced a catastrophic defeat in the divisional round, losing 41-6 to the Seahawks. This loss was particularly painful, being one of the franchise's most humiliating postseason experiences, reminiscent of their 49-3 loss to the New York Giants in January 1987. The weight of such defeats only compounds Kittle's feelings heading into the Super Bowl weekend.

Seattle Seahawks Rivalry

As the Seahawks prepare to clash with the Patriots, there’s no shortage of tension from the 49ers' side, especially after the recent encounters between these two teams. The Seahawks have bested the 49ers in their last two matchups, which has likely left a bitter taste for players like Kittle.

In their last encounter, the Seahawks clinched the NFC West and secured the No. 1 seed in the postseason with a convincing win, ensuring that their celebrations were hard-fought at the expense of the 49ers’ aspirations. This rivalry, sparked by geography and heightened competition, has arguably intensified after Seattle rookie Nick Emmanwori remarked on social media that there “ain’t no rivalry” following the recent defeat of the 49ers.

Patriots as the Lesser Evil

Given his current views on the Seahawks, Kittle's next best scenario for the Super Bowl would be a victory for the New England Patriots. While the Patriots and 49ers may not share a storied rivalry, the recent history between them does offer a bit of a reprieve for San Francisco fans. Earlier in the 2024 season, the 49ers secured a dominant 30-13 victory over New England when Jacoby Brissett was the starting quarterback.

In Kittle's mind, overcoming the Seahawks with a Patriots win would at least mean that rival success would not be celebrated at Levi's Stadium. While it may seem counterintuitive to cheer for an opposing team, Kittle's loyalty to the 49ers runs deep, making the stakes of the game all the more profound.

Conclusion

As Super Bowl 60 draws near, George Kittle's remarks reflect both his frustrations and hopes for the game. No player wants to witness another team lift the championship trophy in their home stadium, and for Kittle, the stakes couldn't be higher. While he contemplates a dream scenario of both teams losing, ultimately he’s left hoping that if there’s going to be a celebration, it belongs to the Patriots. As we await the grand showdown at Levi's Stadium, Kittle and the 49ers will be looking forward to next season, hoping to reclaim their place as the dominate force in the NFC West.