George Kittle is not the type to sit out quietly, even when the injury is as serious as a torn Achilles that could jeopardize his career moving forward.
George Kittle golfs half-naked while still rehabilitating from a torn Achilles tendon
Just days after suffering the season-ending injury in the NFC Wild Card round, the San Francisco 49ers tight end found a way to get back into the mix with his teammates, joining them on the golf course thanks to an unusual $1,500 gadget.
Kittle’s Achilles tear came at a brutal time for a 49ers offense that was already dealing with multiple injuries. His absence was felt immediately, and San Francisco was eliminated in the Divisional round the following week. A hurtful event for a team that was trying to get back to the Super Bowl.
Players gather to decompress
With the season over, several players, including Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk and Trent Taylor, headed out for a round of golf to decompress after a long and stressful year. Kittle made sure he was there too, even if his role looked a little different.
Unable to swing a club, Kittle instead rode around shirtless in a golf cart with his foot in a cast, following his teammates from hole to hole. He still managed to “hit” a few shots of his own, though, using a swingless golf club that drew plenty of attention on social media. In a video posted to his Instagram story, Kittle lined the device up behind the ball and launched it down the fairway without taking a swing.
The gadget comes from a start-up company called Power2Golf and is designed to allow people who can’t physically swing a club to still play a round. Kittle gave the company a shoutout on Instagram, writing, “thanks for keeping me in the game from the cart!”
A great golfing device
According to the company, the $1,500 device was invented by a rocket scientist and requires minimal human exertion. Instead of a traditional swing, the user lines the club up behind the ball and presses a button. The club uses powder-filled “power strips,” similar in concept to a firearm cartridge, to create a chain reaction that drives a striker plate into the ball. A built-in dial allows the user to adjust distance, ranging from roughly 50 yards up to 225 yards.
For Kittle, the lighthearted golf outing was a brief break from what has been a frustrating run of injuries. Earlier this season, he suffered a grade three hamstring tear in Week 1 that sidelined him for five games. In December, he dealt with a left ankle sprain that cost him another contest. Last season, recurring thigh issues also forced him to miss time in Weeks 3 and 11.
Even with another serious injury added to the list, Kittle’s appearance on the golf course showed his trademark energy and determination to stay involved. For now, he may be limited to the cart, but finding creative ways to stay connected with teammates seems to be very much on brand for the 49ers’ star tight end.
