Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts is already breaking franchise records for most receiving yards in a single season.s Kyle Pitts spent his first NFL bye week relaxing with friends and family in Philadelphia. | Wikimedia/Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts is already breaking franchise records for most receiving yards in a single season.s Kyle Pitts spent his first NFL bye week relaxing with friends and family in Philadelphia. | Wikimedia/Atlanta Falcons
With 949 receiving yards, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts broke Tony Gonzalez's franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season, the team announced.
Pitts also trails only Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka for most yards ever by a tight end rookie, the Falcons said Dec. 26.
Pitts was also only the third rookie end ever to have 64 receptions in a season, the Falcons said.
Pitts said he always admired Gonzalez.
"I personally think he's the best ever," Pitts told the Falcons. "That's someone that looking at all of the tight ends that came before me; he was one of the kind of people I watched in the older days."
Quarterback Matt Ryan had strong praise for Pitts.
"I'm certainly proud of him," Ryan said. "That rookie year is not an easy year, and he's continued to push and excel."
Pitts broke Gonzalez's record in a win against the Detroit Lions Dec. 26.
In that game, he had six catches for 102 yards.
'This dude. He's different," teammate Brandon Copeland said. "He didn't blink. He'd come back to the huddle tired, [and] coach make 'em go back again. …The success he's having is because he's worked his tail off, like an undrafted free agent to have it."
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