Pitts set a franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season. | Atlanta Falcons
Pitts set a franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season. | Atlanta Falcons
With 949 receiving yards, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts broke Tony Gonzalez's franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season.
Pitts trails only Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka for most yards ever by a tight end rookie, the Falcons reported in a release.
Pitts is also only the third rookie tight end ever to have 64 receptions in a season, the Falcons reported.
"I personally think he's the best ever," Pitts said about Gonzales in the release. "That's someone that looking at all of the tight ends that came before me; he was one of the kind of people I watched in the older days."
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had strong praise for Pitts, the Falcons reported.
"I'm certainly proud of him," Ryan said. "That rookie year is not an easy year, and he's continued to push and excel."
Pitts broke Gonzalez's record in a win against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 26, the Falcons reported. In that game, he had six catches for 102 yards.
"This dude. He's different," teammate Brandon Copeland said in the release. "He didn't blink. He'd come back to the huddle tired, [and] coach make 'em go back again. …The success he's having is because he's worked his tail off, like an undrafted free agent to have it."
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