San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has denied claims that he invested $5 million in Dogtopia, a large animal healing facility in California. The rumor, which circulated on social media earlier this week, suggested Kittle financially backed the 15-hectare center dedicated to rehabilitating abused and neglected dogs, but Kittle made clear this was not true.
Kittle responded to a deleted tweet and clarified that while he supports organizations working with dogs, he is not involved with Dogtopia’s funding. Instead, Kittle emphasized his ongoing commitment to Operation Freedom Paws, a nonprofit focused on rescuing and training service dogs for veterans, children with disabilities, and first responders.
“Unfortunately I’m not sure where this rumor started and it is not true,” Kittle tweeted on Wednesday. “I do however do a ton of work with @Opfreedompaws in California that rescues dogs and trains them to be service dogs for veterans and people who need help. Dogs need help! Continue to give love!”
Background on the Dogtopia Facility and Social Media Claims
The rumor originated from an Instagram post by the account “elite.gridiron,” which described Dogtopia as more than just a shelter, highlighting its features such as training fields, splash zones, and around-the-clock veterinary care. The post praised the center for focusing on recovery through love and rehabilitation for traumatized dogs. However, there was no official confirmation linking Kittle to the investment.
“More than just a shelter, it’s designed to help abused, neglected, and traumatized dogs heal with training fields, splash zones, 24/7 vet care, and most importantly — love,” Instagram account “elite.gridiron” wrote on Tuesday.
George Kittle Discusses His NFL Career and Future Goals
Earlier on the same day he denied the Dogtopia rumor, Kittle spoke to sports host Kay Adams about his prospects for the 2025 NFL season. Adams suggested he was close to reaching the production levels expected of a Hall of Fame tight end, a compliment that surprised Kittle.
He revealed that his focus remains on self-improvement, measuring success through consistent performance rather than external accolades. He also mentioned an ongoing personal challenge set by his former tight ends coach, who encouraged him to aim for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns each season.
“Oh, my goodness. If I just continue to stay healthy and play at a high level, all I ever do is try to compete with myself as best I possibly can and always challenge myself. You know, my old tight ends coach always gave me a note card at the beginning of every season and he said, ‘your goal is to have 1000 yards, 10 touchdowns and a ton of pancakes.’
“I haven’t gotten 10 touchdowns every season, that would be really fun, but trending in that direction now. So hopefully get a bunch of touchdowns, a bunch of yards, and just focus on that. Whatever comes after that, comes after that. But I’m just going to enjoy.”
Looking Ahead for Kittle and the 49ers in 2024
As Kittle prepares for the upcoming 2024 NFL season, he and the 49ers appear determined to build on last year’s complex campaign. The team and its star tight end have clear goals to elevate their performance and achieve deeper playoff success, aiming to satisfy unfinished objectives from previous seasons.
While the Dogtopia investment story proved false, Kittle’s genuine work with service dogs and his focus on athletic goals reflect his ongoing dedication both on and off the field.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is George Kittle a WWE fan?
A. Kittle, who has always loved professional wrestling, has appeared at WWE events. He even helped ESPN’s Pat McAfee in a match against The Miz during WrestleMania 39.
Q. Is George Kittle a future Hall of Famer?
A. Remember, George Kittle is a likely future Hall of Famer and just had possibly his best career year. Meanwhile, Bowers has only played one season. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “Kittle is aging well,” having achieved more than 1,000 yards for two consecutive seasons and scoring a total of 14 touchdowns in those years.
Q. Is George Kittle a good te?
A. Kittle leads tight ends in the league with 11.6 yards per target and 73.7 yards each game. His 2.9 yards per route and 14.9 yards per reception are also the best.
He ranks second in gaining yards after catching with 6.6 yards and in touchdowns. Over the past two years, he has allowed no sacks during 113 pass-blocking plays.