As part of the pregame festivities ahead of No. 24 Iowa's (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) Heartland Trophy clash against Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten), former Hawkeye and current San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is joining Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" as a special guest in Iowa City.
Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" will air live at Duane Banks Field, with the broadcast occurring between 9 a.m. CT and 11 a.m. CT leading into Iowa-Wisconsin.
Kittle played for the Hawkeyes from 2013-16, catching 48 passes for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kittle contributed to 35 combined wins and advanced to four January bowl games, most notably being the Hawkeyes' historic 2015 squad that completed an undefeated Big Ten regular season and earned a trip to the 2016 Rose Bowl.
After his senior season with Iowa in 2016, the 49ers selected Kittle with the 146th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he has thrived as the franchise's cornerstone tight end over the past nine seasons, including making appearances in Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVIII.
HAWKEYE NATION, YOUR FAVORITE TIGHT END IS BACK@49ers and Iowa legend, @gkittle46 is coming home as a special guest on Big Noon Kickoff LIVE this Saturday at 10 AM ET on FOX! pic.twitter.com/coJycgGoTf
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) October 30, 2026
In addition to appearing on "Big Noon Kickoff," Kittle is also serving as the Hawkeyes' designated honorary captain for the game. As with previous honorary captains, Kittle will join the Iowa captains at midfield for Saturday’s pregame coin toss and will be with the team in the locker room before and after the game.
Kickoff between the Hawkeyes and Badgers is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium, with the game broadcast on Fox.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: 49ers TE, Iowa great George Kittle joining 'Big Noon Kickoff' as guest
