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SunOct 27

National Tight End Day – October 27, 2024

National Tight End Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in October, this year it will be celebrated on October 27. In American football, arena football, and Canadian football, the tight end is a position on the offensive team. Tight end is a position that combines elements of both offensive lineman and wide receiver. They line up on the offensive line like offensive linemen and have the size and strength to be good blockers. On the other hand, unlike offensive linemen, they are capable receivers who draw the attention of the defense when running pass patterns.

History of National Tight End Day

The tight end was once considered to be of little importance in the passing game. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, and even into the 1970s and 1980s, the tight end’s primary responsibility was to block for the quarterback. The rise of the tight end position throughout the 1940s and ’50s is intimately linked to the demise of the one-platoon system.

The tight end’s role in any particular offense is highly dependent on the head coach’s tactical preferences and philosophy, as well as the dynamics of the entire squad. The San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle played a role, but it was their quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who came up with National Tight Ends Day. Although Kittle took the idea and ran with it, Garoppolo energized his teammates for more than one play. From then on, every game became National Tight Ends Day for Kittle, and he celebrated it every year. His response to that simple words spurred him to prepare more intelligently, work more, and be the most effective teammate he could be.

When the Chicago Bears selected Mike Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 N.F.L. draft, the modern-day tight end was truly created. He made history when he established himself as the first tight end to put up significant receiving numbers. In recognition of San Francisco’s special day, the National Football League designated the fourth Sunday in October as National Tight Ends Day.

National Tight End Day timeline

1940s
Tight End Position

The decline of the one-platoon system leads to the advent of the tight end position.

1960s
Greater Use of the Position

The tight end position’s use as a receiver emerges.

1961
Modern Day Tight End

Chicago Bears select Mike Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the N.F.L. draft creating the modern-day tight end.

2019
First National Tight Ends Day

The N.F.L. launches the first National Tight Ends Day.

National Tight End Day FAQs

Why are they called tight ends?

Tight ends obtain their name from the position in which they begin a game. Their position on the field is the closest horizontally to the offensive line. The closer they are to the end of the line, the more closely they line up, but this changes from play to play.

What are the average height and weight of a tight end?

Tight-end players typically average a height of six feet three inches and a weight of 230 pounds.

What are the qualities of a tight-end?

When it comes to catching passes, tight ends need to be more than just physically powerful; they should also be swift and have excellent dexterity. They are invaluable when you find an athletic tight end who can get open in the open field, block defense players, and have exceptional hand-eye coordination.

National Tight End Day Activities

  1. Send a message

    You can send a message to your favorite tight end to let them know that you appreciate them and their hard work. You can send a greeting card and write about how much you appreciate them.

  2. Record a video

    Another way to celebrate is to record a video and send it to your favorite tight end. You can include friends and family if you have the same tight end you admire.

  3. Appreciate them in person

    If you see a tight end today, make sure you show your appreciation. You can give them a hug or a handshake to show your appreciation if they are comfortable with that.

5 Interesting Facts About Tight Ends

  1. Called to block

    Tight ends can block better than most other receivers because of their strength.

  2. Receiving tight ends

    Receiving tight ends are those tight ends who are mostly on the field to catch passes.

  3. Defender’s nightmare

    It is becoming increasingly clear that they are becoming unbeatable athletes with the kind of talents that give defenders problems.

  4. H-back

    When the tight end lines up next to the offensive linemen but is a few feet away from the line of scrimmage, this is called the H-back.

  5. Two defenders

    During a pass play, some teams choose to have two defenders stand in front of the tight end.

Why We Love National Tight End Day

  1. Difficult to tackle

    Defensive backs' lives are made more difficult when a tight end is on the field. This means that the defense must be prepared for any situation involving the tight end, from playing a pass route to blocking. Because of their size, some teams' tight ends are nearly as difficult to tackle as the team's fullbacks.

  2. Create a gap in defense

    Both the tight end and the fullback have a role to play in creating a gap in the defense that the tailback can exploit. Tight ends can also be used to protect the quarterback on passing plays, alongside the offensive line.

  3. Core members of the team

    As one of the eleven offensive football players on the field, a tight end has an important role to play. On some plays, they act as defensive players, but on others, they are wide receivers.

National Tight End Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 October 23 Sunday
2023 October 22 Sunday
2024 October 27 Sunday
2025 October 26 Sunday
2026 October 25 Sunday