The four pass catches Pitts had in that very first game of 2021 were just the beginning. He had a Pro Bowl year as a rookie. However, in 2022, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Pitts recovered from the injury and returned to the game last year, appearing in all 18 games. This season, however, he is trying to prove himself as a fully healthy weapon again.
To open the 2024 season, Pitts scored the game’s first and only touchdown last week and had three total catches on three attempts. Head coach Raheem Morris said he just wants Pitts to be “the best version of himself” in his home opener this Monday.
“I’m very excited,” Pitts said when asked about returning to Philadelphia. “It’s going to be a very intense and loud (environment). It’s going to be fun to compete.”
Pitts knows just how loud and passionate Eagles fans can be. In fact, he was one of them at the 2018 NFC Championship Game, a stop on the Eagles’ way to a Super Bowl victory that season.
The Falcons tight end said he’ll have about 20 friends and family members over to visit this Monday. While playing at Lincoln Financial Stadium for the first time may have some significance for him, he’s more concerned with those relationships and reconnecting with people he hasn’t seen in years.
Devlin is now the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Ursinus College, which is about 25 miles from downtown Philadelphia. Given his practice schedule, he’s not sure he’ll make it to the game, but he’s trying. Regardless of whether he makes it to the game or not, Devlin and Pitts haven’t lost touch.
At a youth football camp this summer, Devlin got into a heated argument with a young Falcons fan after the coach mentioned Pitts.
“You don’t know Kyle Pitts,” said the camp visitor, brushing Devlin off.
Devlin’s answer: “Yes, I know Kyle Pitts.”
“No, you don’t,” the camper continued.
Devlin eventually FaceTimed Pitts to settle the debate once and for all. The Falcons fan and the other kids “went nuts,” Devlin said. He remembers one child going into shock. He never thought he’d ever get the chance to meet an NFL player.
Although the kids didn’t know about Devlin’s past at Pitts, it runs deep. It was Delvin who helped Pitts transition from quarterback to tight end. When Pitts transferred to Archbishop Wood High School in his penultimate year, the then-teenager had a desire to be a pass catcher. Devlin recognized that vision and helped turn it into a reality.
“You could tell from day one that he had the ability, the will, the work ethic – everything,” Devlin said. “Everything that made him great was intangibles. He took advantage of that.”
Devlin said Pitts is undoubtedly one of the best athletes from the Philadelphia area.
There is a particular story that Devlin believes surrounds Pitts’ high school career. He has a video of it and still shows it to the athletes he coaches six years later.
In the 5A state championship game, Archbishop Wood faced off against Harrisburg and current Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Both Pitts and Parsons competed on both sides of the ball. With Pitts playing defensive end and Parsons playing running back, Pitts knocked Parsons to the ground with a slam tackle before he even had a chance to break the line of scrimmage.
