In a classic show of good sportsmanship, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle made good on a bet following a heated college football showdown. After practice in Santa Clara, Calif., Kittle strutted into the locker room donning quarterback Brock Purdy’s Iowa State helmet, a reminder of the Cyclones’ victory over Kittle’s beloved Iowa Hawkeyes in a thrilling 20-19 matchup at Kinnick Stadium.
With a smirk on his face, Kittle couldn’t resist rubbing salt in the wound as he remarked, “Iowa lost to Iowa State. It’s tough. At home. You hate to see it. Unfortunately, the better Iowa team won that day.”
Even amidst the banter, Kittle made it clear that Purdy wasted no time in reaching out to him after the intense game. The competitive nature of their relationship was not lost on anyone, especially since Purdy was the final pick in the 2022 NFL draft for the 49ers and Iowa State has now triumphed in two of their last three clashes with Iowa.
The rivalry between these two college powerhouses has been nothing short of thrilling, with each game coming down to the wire. From a tense 10-7 victory for Iowa State in 2022 to a nail-biting 20-13 win for Iowa in ’23, and finally, the recent heart-stopping victory for the Cyclones against the Hawkeyes, the series has been a rollercoaster of emotions for fans on both sides.
And let’s not forget the stakes of their friendly wagers. Last year, when Purdy found himself on the losing end of a bet, he had to face the music by attending his media press conference while wearing an Iowa Hawkeyes mascot head. The amusing consequences of these bets add an extra layer of fun to their already intense rivalry, further fueling the passions of both players and their loyal fans.
In the end, it’s clear that Kittle and Purdy share a competitive spirit that extends beyond the football field. And as long as they continue to engage in these playful bets, their friendly rivalry will only continue to grow, providing entertainment for fans and adding an extra dash of excitement to their already fiercely contested matchups.
