Imagine you're a football fan getting the inside scoop on one of the coolest events in the NFL. For the fourth year running, Tight End University (TEU) in Nashville has been the go-to gathering for the best tight ends in the league. Hosted by George Kittle of the 49ers, Travis Kelce of the Chiefs, and Greg Olsen from the Panthers, who’s now with FOX Sports, this event saw around 60 players coming together to share knowledge and have a blast.
One of the notable invitees this year was Trey McBride from the Arizona Cardinals. McBride couldn't contain his excitement as he shared his experience with the local media. "That was fun," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "It was cool to be invited by George and Travis and to get out there with the guys. It was cool just to learn to see how those guys see the game. What they look for, what they do when they run routes. Kinda see what goes on in their brain. And then to go out there and work out, perform with these guys and see how they run routes, how they catch the ball, how they warm up. All the things that they do. It was a lot of fun. Very beneficial. I learned a lot and plan on going as long as I can."
Key Takeaways from TEU
- Learning from the Best: McBride emphasized how valuable it was to observe the techniques and mental processes of top players like Kittle and Kelce.
- Building Camaraderie: "It's a cool group of guys. There’s a ton of guys there. They’re all there for the same reasons, trying to spread knowledge, help each other out and get the tight-end position to grow as much as they can. It was very cool to be a part of that and to work out with those guys for a few days was a blast," McBride added.
- Lasting Friendships: Kittle pointed out that one of the main goals of TEU is to forge friendships. "Next time you see them, a game in September or October, you see the guys across the field and can say, 'Hey, I hung out with you guys this past June. We became friends.' You can do a jersey swap," he said.
Highlights and Fun Activities
TEU wasn’t all about hard work and drills. The players had their fair share of fun, including a flag football game with high school girls from Tennessee's sanctioned teams. There was also a "Tight Ends and Friends" country concert featuring Jelly Roll and a pool party where golfer Bryson DeChambeau made an appearance shortly after his U.S. Open win.
Kittle expressed how these events foster a sense of community and bring attention to the tight-end position. "If you have a question about a defense, you can call a friend and ask him, 'Hey, what were you thinking on this?' And it brings some attention to the tight-end position, but also brings the guys together to have some fun."
Rising Stars at TEU
When asked about standout young tight ends at the event, Kittle didn’t hesitate to praise Sam LaPorta of the Lions. "He had a fantastic rookie season. He's an Iowa guy like me. He knows how to play the game the right way. He's got the right mindset for it in an awesome offense," Kittle said. He also had high praise for McBride. "Trey McBride for Arizona; he's a young guy, but had a great year last year. He's just going to keep getting better.”
McBride was humbled by Kittle’s comments, especially since they are division rivals. "For a guy that’s in the same division, a guy that we play twice a year, to kind of have that mutual respect for one another is very cool. And hopefully I can continue to get better, continue to grow and be one of those guys that he said."
Why TEU Matters
The essence of TEU goes beyond just training and drills. It's about creating a community and sharing knowledge to elevate the position as a whole. Kittle summed it up perfectly, "Really the whole point of Tight End U was to bring all these guys together and create great friendships so they get to know each other."
So, if you’re a football fan, especially one who loves watching tight ends in action, keep an eye on these guys. They’re not just playing to win; they’re pushing each other to be the best on and off the field. And with events like TEU, the future of the tight-end position looks brighter and more exciting than ever.
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