FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Picture a typical Philadelphia native. Perhaps a loud, brash, cheesesteak-loving caricature comes to mind. Now, picture the even-keeled nature of Kyle Pitts.
The two images may not commingle, but the tight end out of Warminster, Pennsylvania was molded by the blue-collar mentality of the city. His high school coach Steve Devlin recalled that Pitts was often the first player in and the last out. There were several instances when Devlin had to kick Pitts out of the gym to keep him from overworking.
"He's just a Philadelphia kid," Devlin said. "He's got that hard-nosed attitude, that grit about him and that's what makes him great."
Pitts made his NFL debut against his hometown Eagles when the Falcons opened the 2021 season by facing Philadelphia. That game was at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, though, so Pitts hasn't played at the stadium he grew up going to, until now, with the Falcons set to face the Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 2.
The four receptions Pitts had in that very first game in 2021 was just the start. He went on to have a Pro Bowl year as a rookie. However, he sustained a season-ending knee injury in 2022. Pitts rehabbed the injury and returned to action last year, appearing in all 18 games. It's this season, though, where he's trying to make his mark as a fully healthy weapon again.
To open the 2024 season last week, Pitts recorded the first and only touchdown of the game and had three total catches on three targets. Head coach Raheem Morris said he just wants Pitts to be "the best version of himself" in his homecoming game this Monday.
"I'm very excited," Pitts said when asked about returning to Philadelphia. "It'll be a very intense and loud (environment). It'll be fun to compete."
Pitts is uniquely aware of how rowdy and intense Eagles fans can get. In fact, he was one of them at the NFC Championship game in 2018, a stop for the Eagles on the road to a Super Bowl win that season.
The Falcons tight end said he'll have about 20 friends and family in attendance this Monday. While it may carry meaning to play at Lincoln Financial Stadium for the first time, it's more about those relationships and re-connecting with people he hasn't seen in years.
Devlin is now an associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Ursinus College which is located about 25 miles from downtown Philadelphia. With his practice schedule, he is unsure if he'll make it to the game, but he's trying. Regardless if he's able to make the game or not, Devlin and Pitts haven't lost touch.
At a football youth camp this summer, Devlin had a spirited back-and-forth with a young Falcons fan after the coach mentioned Pitts.
"You don't know Kyle Pitts," the camp-goer said brushing Devlin off.
Devlin in response: "Yeah, I know Kyle Pitts."
"No, you don't," the camper continued.
Devlin finally FaceTimed Pitts to put an end to the debate once and for all. The Falcons' fan and the rest of the kids "were going crazy," said Devlin. He remembers one kid being shell-shocked. He never thought he'd get the chance to meet an NFL player.
While the kids were unaware of Devlin's history with Pitts, it runs deep. It was Delvin who helped Pitts make the transition from quarterback to tight end. When Pitts transferred to Archbishop Wood High School his junior year, the then-teenager had a desire to become a pass-catcher. Devlin saw the vision and helped it come to life.
"You could tell Day 1 that he had the ability, he had the desire, had the work ethic — everything," Devlin said. "All the intangibles to make himself great. He took advantage of that."
Devlin said Pitts is certainly one of the best athletes to come out of the Philadelphia area.
There's a specific story Devlin feels encompasses Pitts' high school career. It's one he has video of, and six years later, he still shows it to the athletes he coaches.
In the 5A state championship game, Archbishop Wood went against Harrisburg and current Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Both Pitts and Parsons competed on both sides of the ball. While Pitts played defensive end and Parsons running back, Pitts slam-tackled Parsons to the ground before he even had a chance to break the line of scrimmage.
Pitts recorded four tackles, including the one against Parsons, two interceptions and a touchdown in that championship win.
That was the last football game Pitts played in Philadelphia before Monday night's matchup. Some Eagles fans might recognize Pitts' hometown heritage but many likely won't. After all, he did leave the nest and is now firmly nestled with the Falcons.
"I think it'll be a good reception," Devlin said of Pitts' homecoming. "But he's also wearing black and red. He's not wearing green, Eagles green. I'm sure he'll get a hometown reception, and he'll start getting booed when the game is on."
