Netflix series ‘Receiver’ cuts to Kittle and Deebo’s heartache after 49ers’ Super Bowl run – Marin Independent Journal

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (right) is congratulated by tight end George Kittle after scoring a score against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SANTA CLARA – Spoiler alert: Skip to the final episode of Netflix’s new “Receiver” series to relive the thrilling and heartbreaking ending to the 49ers’ final season.

Among the five main characters are two 49ers, and Brandon Aiyuk isn’t there either. How about an unexpected twist in an offseason otherwise dominated by Aiyuk’s pursuit of a contract extension?

Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, already great as captains and offensive stewards for the 49ers, were phenomenal in “Receiver,” culminating in their arduous pursuit of a Super Bowl victory that slipped away from them.

Their microphone-equipped audio recordings from the field reveal not only how determined they were to win, but also how they – like most football players – deal with injuries.

What’s even more captivating is that their lives behind the scenes perfectly incorporate the human element. The support they give their families and vice versa is truly endearing.

The previous seven episodes of “Receiver” are likely to be just as exciting, and come just in time to reignite everyone’s football enthusiasm as training camps begin (July 23 for the 49ers). The docuseries, which premiered Wednesday, chronicles the last NFL season, with top-notch work from NFL Films and Omaha Productions.

The series finale features the 49ers’ comeback win over the Detroit Lions and the NFC title before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime in the Super Bowl. Each of these games is worth telling decades later, and “Receiver” offers insight into the 49ers’ successes and losses.

Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the show’s five standout receivers, so Episode 8 features plenty of Lions drama from the NFC Championship Game. The Raiders’ Davante Adams, an East Palo Alto native, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson are the show’s other two main characters.

But the 49ers had two of their best players of all time, and thanks to them alone, the Receiver finale offered a great first impression of the series.

Spoiler alert, here are the notable highlights and revelations:

PLAYING DESPITE PAIN, PART I

Kittle is reticent to talk about his pain when asked in press conferences, but when it came to the Super Bowl, he was blunt and open with coach Kyle Shanahan on the sidelines before overtime began.

Kittle: “My shoulder hurts right now.”

Shanahan: “Tell me what you can and can’t do.”

Kittle: “I can chip and block. I can’t raise my hand above my head, dude.”

Shanahan: “Basically, you can’t really run a route. Don’t you call something for yourself?”

Kittle: “I wouldn’t do that. If Brock puts it on my chest, I can catch it.”

Shanahan: “Then we should probably bring in Charlie?”

Kittle: “I’d say yes right now. … Chuck, it’s your turn.”

Kittle retreated to the locker room to numb the searing pain in his shoulder, which was made worse by his landing on a crucial fourth-down attempt. Kittle returned for the final offensive plays in overtime, when the 49ers settled for a field goal and a temporary lead.

PLAYING DESPITE PAIN, PART II

Samuel also suffered an injury in the Super Bowl, which was evident when he grabbed his left hamstring near his knee three minutes after halftime. He initially said it didn’t feel like a hamstring strain. He retreated to the side tent and then painfully tested it with a few quick jabs on the sideline.

When linebacker Fred Warner approached him and asked if he had wrapped his thigh for support, Samuel replied, “No, I’ve got it. I’ve got it.” Samuel returned to the game and caught two 9-yard passes on a night in which he caught three of 11 passes overall. (Incidentally, Warner can draw motivation from this episode when he hears St. Brown brag about blocking Warner on the Lions’ first touchdown.)

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP COMEBACK

Despite trailing 24-7 at halftime, the 49ers fought back to win the NFC Championship 34-31 at Levi’s Stadium. Just as they imagined, right?

“I can’t wait until the game is over and I can say, ‘You know what, they beat us in the first half,'” a microphone-equipped Kittle told Brock Purdy on the 49ers sideline. “Keep saying it. Have fun. Encourage the guys. Right? You’re the guy. Get us going, baby. Don’t change a thing.”

“Of course I like George’s attitude of helping me and trying to keep me calm,” Purdy told the show’s cameras. “He was always a guy who told me: we’ve got your back, I’ve got your back.”

HALFTIME SPEECHES

“Receiver” takes you into the 49ers and Lions locker rooms at halftime of the NFC title game, but only for the audio, and that’s enough.

Speech by Lions coach Dan Campbell: “Finish this game the way you started it. You’re not going to give up. You’ve got to make them give up.”

Shanahans: “This is not how we’re going to finish the season together. This wasn’t our half. We still have a half together. We put ourselves in a difficult position. The key is we have to play differently. We have to make some plays.”

MONTANA CAMEOS

Joe Montana was the honorary captain of the NFC Championship Game and “Receiver” captured funny interactions with him.

Samuel spotted Montana on the 49ers sideline before the game, hugged him and said, “You look good out here.” Joe’s cool response: “I always look good.”

After the 49ers completed their comeback, Kittle was onstage looking for his wife, Claire, who was storming the field among the family and friends. When he found her, Kittle darted off the stage, walked past Montana first and said, “Hey Joe, how are you? That was fun. I need to find my wife.”

FAMILY PRIDE

The Kittles’ love story could really be a series of its own. Their mutual admiration is always eye-catching. “Make history. You’re the best in the world!” Claire said as she pushed George onto the field during warmups for the NFC Championship Game.

Equally endearing are the scenes with Samuel’s family, his girlfriend Mahogany Jones and their son Tyshun Jr. “Right now, his life revolves around him,” said Deebo.