George Kittle tried (and failed) to haze Brock Purdy back in 2022

George Kittle told Rich Eisen about a time he tried hazing then-rookie Brock Purdy, but the quarterback's response ultimately earned Kittle's respect.

By now, every NFL fan knows San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle likes to have a good time.

Whether it's poking fun at team rivals by wearing NSFW shirts under his uniform or by engaging in friendly banter with opposing players, Kittle's persona is second to none.

Apparently, it also includes some minor hazing of rookies who join the team.

This week, Kittle appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and talked about the relationship he has with another budding star, quarterback Brock Purdy.

While much of the conversation centered around Purdy's quads (yes, that was the chatter), Kittle also shared a pretty funny moment from Purdy's rookie season back in 2022 when he first came to camp.

How Brock Purdy ultimately earned George Kittle's respect

Kittle admitted there's no rookie hazing that takes place during Niners training camp, although the tight end also said he'll have a bit of fun and will "banter" with first-year players nonetheless, especially seeing whether or not they'll engage with him instead of being "shy."

For Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Kittle's hazing attempt was very, well... Kittle-ish.

Related story: George Kittle joins Niner Noise Podcast to talk Brock Purdy, 49ers

"On Brock's first day, I hung an Iowa shirt in his locker, which was phenomenal," Kittle told Eisen. "And he instantly takes it because he's two lockers down from me. And he goes, 'you put this [expletive] in here? Get this [expletive] out of my locker.' And I'm just like, 'I'm going to like you.' I know that already. He just tosses it on the ground. I was like, 'respect.' I love that."

Kittle, who played his college ball at Iowa, wasn't shy about reminding Purdy, an Iowa State alumnus, about the collegiate rivalry.

And it wouldn't be the last time Kittle had fun with this inter-Iowa rivalry.

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