49ers' Kittle Hosts 5th Annual Tight End University

The gathering takes place in Nashville on the campus of Vanderbilt University. It brings together the game's best at the position, including the Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers, Minnesota Vikings' T.J. Hockenson, Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride and Baltimore Ravens' Isaiah Likely.

Kittle recently spoke on The Dan Patrick Show about the origins of the event.

"It started off where we were kinda only doing active players," Kittle said. "The last two years we've opened all active, practice squad, guys who've been in the league but might not be on a team yet."

The term "university" isn't just for show, either. Kittle detailed how there are actual school-like responsibilities along with the on-field work.

What's the secret to that work?

"Syllabus wise, what we do is, we do a classroom session ... and I've talked about run-blocking, pass protection, [yards after catch]. Those are the things I've focused on in the past years," Kittle clarified.

He explained how Kelce, Olsen, and others have their own teaching opportunities to pour out knowledge and explain their expertise to the young attendees.

"Really it's just, we try to cover all the things a tight end does because we're the only position that really gets to do everything," Kittle said. "We kinda try to cover as much as we possibly can in the limited time we have with these guys, and just try to give them that extra step forward in their careers."

How much does George Kittle care about Tight End University?

The Iowa alum claims TEU as his own.

Over the past few years, Kittle has included TEU in his Sunday Night Football introductions. We might hear it again in the Niners' two SNF games in Week 7 and Week 17.