George Kittle waited until Iowa reclaimed the state’s bragging rights to reopen his favorite argument with Brock Purdy.
The Hawkeyes rallied from a 10-point deficit and defeated Iowa State 16-13 on a 42-yard field goal in the closing seconds Saturday. Soon afterward, Kittle posted the final score to his Instagram story and addressed his 49ers quarterback directly.
“Never a doubt,” Kittle wrote. “Get ready to learn Hawkeye buddy @brock.purdy13.”
“Never a doubt” was debatable. The warning suggested another installment of the teammates’ annual Cy-Hawk wager could be coming.
Kittle’s Iowa loyalty has been needling Purdy since San Francisco selected the former Iowa State quarterback with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
On Purdy’s first day with the 49ers, Kittle planted an Iowa shirt in his locker, then jokingly blamed the equipment staff.
The prank doubled as a personality test. Kittle later explained that he likes exchanging some trash talk with new teammates to see whether they become nervous or fire back. Purdy immediately returned the “zingers.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I love Brock so much,” Kittle said. “I was like, ‘We’re going to be great friends.’”
Their private ‘Clone-Hawk series has since produced increasingly ridiculous consequences. Purdy wore a giant Hawkeye mascot head after an Iowa victory in 2023.
Kittle later conducted an interview wearing Purdy’s game-used Cyclones helmet, then modeled an Iowa State-themed outfit after losing last year’s wager.
Purdy gleefully posted the evidence, writing, “Smile if it’s a Cyclone State.”
The ribbing works because the respect underneath it is unmistakable. Kittle recently predicted Purdy would have “a great year” and declared, “It’s his offense.”
Purdy returned the admiration while discussing Kittle’s remarkable recovery from a torn Achilles, calling him a “Hall of Fame caliber player.”
One Saturday each year, their college colors divide them. Every Sunday afterward, it becomes friendly fire between teammates who clearly love playing together.
