SAN FRANCISCO, CA — In a stunning act of generosity, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has donated the full $15.9 million from his latest bonus and sponsorship deals to fund the construction of permanent housing and shelter beds for the city’s homeless population.

Kittle, a fan favorite known for his grit on the field and heart off of it, announced the donation during a press conference on Friday morning at Levi’s Stadium.

“I’ve seen the effects of homelessness firsthand growing up,” Kittle told reporters, fighting back emotion. “And I knew if I ever had the means, I’d give back in a meaningful way. No one deserves to sleep on a sidewalk.”

The donation will go directly to a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization, Hope First Housing Initiative, to fund the development of 150 permanent housing units and 300 emergency shelter beds, along with mental health and job training support services. The project is expected to break ground in early 2026.

This marks one of the largest personal charitable contributions ever made by a professional football player to combat homelessness in the U.S.

City officials were quick to praise the All-Pro tight end.

“This is more than a donation — it’s a lifeline,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. “George Kittle is showing what leadership looks like, not just on Sundays but in the heart of our city.”

Kittle’s decision comes at a critical time for San Francisco, which has been grappling with a severe housing crisis. According to the city’s latest homelessness count, more than 7,000 people are currently living without stable housing, with hundreds sleeping in tents, vehicles, or on the streets.

Kittle said the project’s aim is not just to “build shelter,” but to “restore dignity.”

“These are mothers, veterans, kids… people who need hope more than anything. This isn’t just about putting up buildings — it’s about building lives back up.”

Kittle’s teammates and coaches expressed deep admiration.

“George is the kind of man who lifts everyone around him,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “What he’s doing here? That’s legacy stuff.”

The donation comes just months after Kittle signed a contract extension and inked several high-profile endorsement deals. Rather than spend the money on personal luxuries, he saw a chance to make real change in the city he now calls home.

Social media erupted with praise for Kittle’s selflessness. Fans, advocacy groups, and even rival players took to X (formerly Twitter) to salute the 49ers star, using hashtags like #KittlesGift and #HopeInSF.

Kittle ended the press conference humbly:

“Football gave me a platform. I’m just trying to use it for something that matters.”

And with that, one of the NFL’s fiercest players just made one of its biggest impacts — off the field.