CARD: Score 2018 ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o The San Fransisco 49ers SENT: 12/13/17 RECEIVED: 6/9/20 (179 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
George Kittle played TE for the University of Iowa from 2013-’16.
Transitioning from WR to TE, Kittle had 48 receptions for 737 yards and 10 TDs in his college career.
Selected in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Fransisco 49ers.
Immediately made impact as rookie seeing action in 15 contests starting 7, he’d finish with 43 receptions for 515 yards and 2 TDs.
In 2018 and 2019 he’d catch 85+ passes and go over 1000 yards receiving.
Injuries limited his production in 2020, but he picked up right where he left off in 2021 with over 900 yards receiving.
Had a career high 11 TDs in 2022 on 60 catches.
And then two back to back 1000+ yard seasons in ’23 and ’24.
Injuries again limited Kittle in 2025 to 11 contests, but he still wrangled in 57 catches for 628 yards and 7 TDs.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 2018, ’19, 2021-’25
All Pro 2019, ’23
All Pro Second Team 2018, 2022, 2024
Salute to Service 2024
NOTES:
Big get here early in an ascending career, Kittle was a solid bet signing early in his career, but based on what I’ve gathered has just been overloaded with requests since 2024. I zipped out what I could at that time, and was happy to get him on this Score card.
Over his time at the school he set school and single season passing records.
He finished 533/955 for 6,999 yards, 49 TDs to 24 picks, along with 757 rushing yards.
He decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Signed with the Buffalo Bills as an UDFA, and although he led the Bills to a comeback victory in the preseason finale, it was not enough to impress the team to keep him.
Selected in the 9th round of the XFL 20 Draft.
Saw limited playing time behind starter Cardale Jones.
Led the team to a comeback win against the Battlehawks in Week 5- shortly before the league was suspended due to COVID.
Signed with the Eagles in early ’21 and was transitioned to TE.
Fractured a bone in his back and spent 3 months on IR.
Started his first game, caught his first TD pass, and tore his ACL all in the same game.
Spent the majority of the ’22 campaign on the PUP list.
Joined the Giants practice squad in 2023.
Released with an injury designation in ’24.
Signed late in the 2024 season to the Commanders practice squad.
ACCOLADES:
2019 Senior Bowl South Team MVP
MAC Offensive Player of the Year 2018
NOTES:
Just before I was about to send this out to Tyree- he was cut by the Commanders in camp, so I was back to square one. After digging around on the internet I found a good address and gave it a try at the end of the year. He signed the two cards and sent a note thanking me for my support.
Jimmy Garoppolo played QB for Eastern Illinois from 2010-’13.
Playing in 45 games, he set multiple records at the school.
In his Senior season he completed 375 of 568 passes for 5050 yards and 53 TDs.
Selected by the New England Patriots in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL Draft as one of the many heir apparents to Tom Brady.
He sparingly saw action through 3 seasons, but put up solid numbers, completing 63 of 94 passes for 690 yards and 5 TDs.
Traded to the 49ers near the tail end of the trading period of the 2017 season.
Went 5-0 during that season, creating a heavy amount of hype going into 2018.
Jimmy G got only 3 games under his belt before his season ended due to an ACL tear.
In 2019, he had an impressive season for the ‘9ers, leading the team to Super Bowl LIV.
Threw for 3979 yards and 27 TDs completing 329 of 476 passes.
A troublesome high ankle sprain tainted his encore in 2020, as he played in only 6 contests.
The ‘9ers began to restock their QB room trading up for Trey Lance and selecting little known QB Brock Purdy.
Returned to near form in 2021, completing 301 of 441 passes for 3,810 yards and 20 TDs.
In 2022, the ‘9ers named Trey Lance as starter right out of the gate.
Garoppolo didn’t have to wait long to get back into the starting lineup as Trey Lance was injured in the first game of the season.
He was able to rally the team into playoff contention but Jimmy too got injured and his season ended during Week 13.
Jimmy signed in 2023 with Las Vegas- reuniting him with his offensive coordinator of the Patriots and now head coach of the Raiders- Josh McDaniels.
The Raiders were a dumpster fire under McDaniels and Raider management.
McDaniels’ and Jimmy’s tenure in LV lasted just one season.
Currently Jimmy G is a backup QB for the Los Angeles Rams.
ACCOLADES:
2013 Walter Payton Award Winner
NOTES:
I saw that Jimmy G. was signing through the ‘9ers organization and sent out to him back in 2021. In the meantime I saw a lot of people get his autograph back that sent to him after me. So in 2022, I sent to his home address. After about a year I saw the two come back from his home address.
I didn’t think I’d ever get the other two back from his time with the ‘9ers, but apparently I was at the bottom of the refilled mail bag!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
