“George Kittle Reverses Course While Travis Kelce Holds Steady: Inside the Netflix ‘Receiver’ Saga Preceding Production”

The first season of the docuseries, which has taken Netflix by storm, follows NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota throughout their seasons. Critics feared the additional spotlight would detract from their football focus, and Kittle shared these concerns.

Initially, his response to participating was a firm, “probably absolutely not.” However, as the season progressed, Kittle’s perspective shifted, largely due to his wife Claire’s influence.

Video of the legendary George Kittle ‘F— Dallas’ Shirt moment captured on Receiver from @netflix 😂😅#49ers #GoNiners #FTTB pic.twitter.com/fPgoDTfBKz

— Alex Tran (@nineralex) July 11, 2024

Claire’s role in George’s response
Kittle opened up about his reluctance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” explaining his initial hesitation: “I had not watched ‘Quarterback’ at all, and I was worried about upsetting the football gods. Football is a living, breathing organism with its own flow.”

It wasn’t until Claire convinced him of the show’s merits, showcasing the relationships of stars like Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany, as well as Kirk Cousins and his wife Julie, that Kittle decided to give it a shot. “Claire loved how the show highlighted their relationships, and after watching a few episodes, I thought, ‘This is awesome,'” Kittle shared

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s decision to pass on the show sparked curiosity. Kelce, whose life is already under a significant spotlight due to his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift, preferred to keep his focus on the field.

Davante Adams
Justin Jefferson
George Kittle
Deebo Samuel
Amon-Ra St. Brown

From the creators of QUARTERBACK, RECEIVER is coming later this year. pic.twitter.com/OVUH2X2YQ6

— Netflix (@netflix) March 19, 2024

Kelce stood firm in his response
“After Pat (Mahomes) did it, I was asked, but I’d rather just play ball. I’m already doing enough with the podcast and everything,” Kelce remarked, emphasizing his disinterest in reality TV. “I’m way over reality shows; I’m out on that,” he added.

Kelce’s decision seems justified, considering the constant scrutiny his relationship with Swift attracts. Besides, Kelce has already explored the reality TV realm with shows like “Catching Kelce” and has upcoming projects, including Ryan Murphy’s horror series “Grotesquerie.”

Despite the initial reluctance, Kittle’s involvement in “Receiver” has been a hit, allowing fans to see a different side of the football star. His journey from skepticism to embracing the spotlight offers a unique narrative that resonates with viewers, blending his charismatic persona on the field with a more personal, off-field dimension.