49ers star Kittle receives fourth Salute to Service nomination

SANTA CLARA — There is no argument that George Kittle makes an impact on the football field, but what the All-Pro does outside of the game might be considered even more powerful. Kittle is the 49ers' Salute to Service nominee for the fourth time in his eight-year NFL career. He was a finalist for the award in both 2022 and 2023. The tight end's connection to veterans originates with his family after both his grandfather Carl and his uncle Pat served in the military. Among the many programs and organizations that Kittle has worked with, his partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors or T.A.P.S. sparked the star player's efforts at every game, both home and away. George's father Bruce helps with the logistics of bringing military veterans and their families or a group of veterans to every game. They get to experience pregame on the field, and for home games, a meet and greet with George after the game. "It really started with the 2019 Super Bowl," Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area, "I was able to send a family from the T.A.P.S. organization, that I had met at the 2018 Pro Bowl, to the Super Bowl. That happened and then we were like, we should continue doing that...