Kittle Demands Tequila After Achilles Tear

At a Glance

• George Kittle tore his right Achilles during the 49ers’ 23-19 playoff win over the Eagles on Jan. 11, 2026
• The 32-year-old tight end asked for a bottle of tequila after being carted off in the second quarter
• Team owner Jed York delivered Patrón from his suite; the bottle was later reported empty
• Why it matters: Kittle’s season-ending injury tests the 49ers’ depth as they advance to face Seattle on Jan. 17

San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles in the second quarter of Sunday’s wild-card victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, then requested-and quickly received-a bottle of tequila to cope with the pain, according to multiple reports from the locker room.

The injury occurred after Kittle caught a six-yard pass with roughly six minutes left before halftime. Cameras showed him unable to put weight on his right leg as he exited the cart and disappeared into the tunnel. Minutes later, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

How the Tequila Request Unfolded

Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic first reported the unusual delivery on X during the game:

> “A San Francisco 49ers employee just walked into the locker room carrying what appeared to be a bottle of tequila. Best guess? It’s for George Kittle.”

After the 49ers secured the 23-19 win, Russini posted a follow-up:

• The bottle was Patrón tequila
• It was sent from owner Jed York’s suite after Kittle asked for it
• The bottle was empty by the end of the night

Beat reporter David Lombardi provided additional confirmation:

> “After the Achilles tear, Jed York came into the 49ers locker room and asked George Kittle if there’s anything he could get him. Within minutes, that bottle of tequila was in the 49ers’ locker room. A couple hours later, victory in Philadelphia was secured. A new piece of 49ers legend.”

Locker-Room Reaction and Next Steps

Running back Christian McCaffrey, visibly emotional after the game, praised Kittle’s leadership:

> “This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year, and since I got traded here, he’s the heart and soul of this team. So it’s a tough loss, man.”

McCaffrey emphasized that Kittle’s presence remains strong even when injured:

• He’s the first guy smiling and bumping music after wins
• His leadership transcends the field
• The team plans to “play for him the rest of the way”

Upcoming Challenge Without Kittle

The 49ers now prepare for the divisional-round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Jan. 17. Kittle’s absence leaves a significant void at tight end, both as a blocker and a receiving threat.

Key takeaways:

With the victory, the 49ers advance deeper into the playoffs, but they do so without the player McCaffrey calls “the heart and soul” of the roster.