To the untrained eye, it's just another Sunday in October. But for NFL fans, today is a holiday: National Tight Ends Day.
Since its accidental inception in 2018, the fourth weekend of October has become a day of celebration for fans. It all started in Week 2 of that year when former 49ers tight end Garrett Celek caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from former 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo against the Detroit Lions, dragging two defenders with him into the end zone.
"We were on the sidelines after [former 49ers tight end Garrett] Celek's score when Jimmy [Garoppolo] asked, 'What is it, like National Tight Ends Day?'" George Kittle recalled. "I was like, 'yeah, it's National Tight Ends Day. It's a holiday. Tight ends all over the league are scoring touchdowns.' That's how it came to be. We just kind of rolled with it."
On Sunday, tight ends represented their position by finding the end zone early and often. So far, tight ends have racked up 17 touchdowns, which is the most in a single week this season. The record since 2000 in a single week is 22 touchdowns, set in Week 1 of 2015. They also caught 177 passes today, the most on a single day in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Research.
In honor of National Tight Ends Day, here are Week 8's top plays for the big men on the move.
San Francisco 49ers, George Kittle
It's fitting that George Kittle scores on #NationalTightEndsDay 🔥 @gkittle46
— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tOnCd7dPL2
George Kittle's 500th career catch is nice one. He has 128 yards receiving tonight! #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/DJ5xb4UYlF
Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce
Tricky @Chiefs to get Travis Kelce the ball on #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/bKnEkhxOZb
Travis Kelce's first TD of year? On #NationalTightEndsDay!
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/uOQ8BVlAiK
Denver Broncos, Nate Adkins
Another TE TD on #NationalTightEndsDay! We're all tied up in Denver.
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #CARvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/N0hyFTCyLN
Broncos, Adam Trautman
HOLY HANDS TEAM!! What a grab for TE Adam Trautman 🙌 #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #CARvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/rhHjvzE4O2
Las Vegas Raiders, Brock Bowers
Bowers showing off the hands on #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/RUjIkgkYcx
Cleveland Browns, David Njoku
Jameis to Njoku to celebrate #NationalTightEndsDay!
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #BALvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/yBLlT5hS5B
Arizona Cardinals, Trey McBride
Trey McBride shows off the hops
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #AZvsMIA on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/r8hXzqPZsk
Detroit Lions, Sam LaPorta
David Montgomery throws a TD to Sam LaPorta!
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #TENvsDET on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HGuKPJbBTD
Lions, Brock Wright
Happy #NationalTightEndsDay to Brock Wright 🙌
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #TENvsDET on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/rLFpTYNWVS
Green Bay Packers, Tucker Kraft
Touchdown Tucker Kraft!
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #GBvsJAX on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/SQTfRjF9Kt
Tucker Kraft with some serious YAC!
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #GBvsJAX on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9l2P89UmI5
New York Jets,Tyler Conklin
TD Tyler Conklin! #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/zzUMuYnY9s
Jacksonville Jaguars, Evan Engram
LAWRENCE TO ENGRAM TO TIE IT 🫨
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #GBvsJAX on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/SkD10lJb7d
Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Gesicki
Joe Burrow and Mike Gesicki making magic happen on 3rd and 22.
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/6LDC4TBEWQ
It's National One-Handed Catch Day as well. #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/kW1f1XKsFj
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cade Otton
Cade Otton time. #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UKxppwoiSk
Make that ✌️ for @CadeOtton
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 27, 2024
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/cENQFlg1Bk
Atlanta Falcons, Kyle Pitts
Kirk to Pitts for the 41-yard TD on 4th and 3! #NationalTightEndsDay
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/74YVXJTf29
Baltimore Ravens, Mark Andrews
Lamar finds his TE Mark Andrews to give Baltimore the lead.
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
📺: #BALvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/gsHuWQTFMf
