Why didn’t George Kittle take a knee? Kyle Shanahan didn’t tell him to
George Kittle could have kneeled. Instead he scored Kyle Shanahan forgot to tell him not to.
On September 27, 2026, in Santa Clara, California, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals with a final score of 36-30. In the game's final moments, 49ers tight end George Kittle scored a touchdown to extend the team's lead. However, the touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty on Kittle. If he had taken a knee, the 49ers could have run down the clock and potentially won the game 29-27.
Instead, Kittle extended the lead, and the Cardinals attempted to win with a 49-yard field goal attempt. The field goal failed as it was intercepted by Deebo Samuel, leaving the 49ers to celebrate their victory. Kittle's decision not to take a knee was questioned, with Kittle himself admitting after the game, "Probably should have gone out of bounds.
We could have just kneeled it out. But no one told me to, so that’s their fault, not mine." Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged his responsibility for not reminding Kittle to take a knee during the game.
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