Tag: Mike Ditka

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Brock Bowers sets record for receiving yards by rookie TE

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders moved past Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka on Sunday to set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in his rookie season.

Bowers’ third catch on Sunday — a 13-yard grab late in the second quarter against the host New Orleans Saints — pushed his season total to 1,087 yards. Ditka totaled 1,076 receiving yards in 14 games with the Chicago Bears in 1961.

Bowers, 22, set the record for receptions by a rookie tight end earlier this season by eclipsing the total of 86 reeled in by Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions in 2023. Bowers had 101 catches entering Sunday’s game.

Bowers was selected by the Raiders with the 13th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While with Georgia, Bowers was the first back-to-back winner of the Mackey Award (2022, 2023), which is given to the top tight end in college football.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) warms-up before their game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons’ Kyle Pitts first rookie TE since ’61 with 1,000 yards

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After 60 years, Mike Ditka finally has some company.

On Sunday, Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons became just the second rookie tight end in NFL history to tally 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

Pitts, who entered the Week 17 game against the host Buffalo Bills with 949 yards, reached the milestone with a 61-yard reception in the second quarter.

With that play, the 21-year-old Pitts also broke the Atlanta rookie record of 959 receiving yards set by Julio Jones in 2011.

Ditka racked up 1,076 yards in 14 games for the Chicago Bears in 1961. He finished his Hall of Fame playing career with 5,812 receiving yards and later coached the Bears to a victory in Super Bowl XX.

–Field Level Media