In a thrilling season opener at Lumen Field on September 7, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off a dramatic 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, thanks to an unlikely hero: third-string tight end Jake Tonges. The Los Gatos native, who grew up just a short drive from Levi’s Stadium, turned his lifelong dream into reality with a game-changing touchdown catch that sealed the win and left Seahawks fans stunned.
Tonges, a career backup who had never caught a pass in his first 20 NFL games, stepped into the spotlight when star tight end George Kittle suffered a hamstring injury in the first half. With Kittle sidelined, the 49ers turned to the 26-year-old, who delivered in a way few could have predicted. Tonges finished the game with three catches for 15 yards, including a crucial touchdown with just 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The defining moment came on a third-and-3 from the Seattle 4-yard line. Quarterback Brock Purdy dropped back, scanned the field, and scrambled to his right after checking his options. With Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen in coverage, Purdy lofted a pass toward the corner of the end zone. Tonges, standing at 6-foot-4, outmuscled Woolen, who got a hand on the ball, to secure the first touchdown of his NFL career. What could have been Purdy’s third interception of the day instead became a highlight-reel moment for the local kid.
“I had a corner curl and slipped coming out of my break, and then the scramble drill was on,” Tonges explained to the 49ers Radio Network. “We just always try and stay in bounds and stay alive, and Brock gave me a chance there, and I did the best I could with it.” After the play, Tonges revealed he asked Purdy if he was throwing the ball out of bounds. Purdy’s response? “No, I was just trying to give you a chance.” The 49ers, determined to avoid overtime, went for the win—and Tonges delivered.
The touchdown sparked wild celebrations among the thousands of 49ers fans in the famously raucous Lumen Field. On the sideline, Kittle, watching in a red 49ers hoodie, beamed with pride as his teammate seized the moment. “It’s pretty awesome,” Tonges said post-game. “Growing up 20 minutes from Levi’s, it’s just your dream come true. Wouldn’t want to play for anyone else. I love these guys. I love this locker room, and just want to keep rolling.”
Tonges’ journey to this moment was far from easy. A two-sport star at Los Gatos High School, he graduated in 2017 and went on to catch four touchdowns in four years at Cal from 2018 to 2021. Undrafted in 2022, he played sparingly for the Chicago Bears before joining the 49ers’ practice squad in 2023. Last season, he appeared in all 16 games for San Francisco, primarily on special teams, with just one target and no catches. Re-signed in April 2025, Tonges remained ready for his moment, even as a third-stringer.
“I was thinking just about how many games I prepped for, and didn’t really get the opportunity,” Tonges told reporters. “I kind of know this is my role if George goes down. So, I’m always paying extra attention to third-down stuff, to a lot of the pass stuff. Just staying locked in and being consistent, because you really never know when your opportunity might come.”
For the Seahawks, Tonges’ heroics were a nightmare come true. Seattle’s defense, which had held strong for much of the game, couldn’t stop the 49ers’ late rally. Kittle had opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, giving San Francisco a 7-0 lead, but his injury left a void. Tonges filled it, proving to be the difference-maker in a game that slipped away from the Seahawks in the final moments.
The 49ers’ locker room was full of praise for their unsung hero. “It just comes down to opportunities,” Purdy said. “He’s been a consistent guy all throughout last year and camp. George goes down today, and then, boom, (Tonges is) ready for his opportunity. We all love Jake. He’s a smart kid, and he’s a brother to us.” Running back Christian McCaffrey echoed the sentiment, noting Tonges’ work ethic and attention to detail. “He’s a guy that’s made of the right stuff, too,” McCaffrey said. “Practices really hard, attention to detail is great, willing to block, does all the little things right. Pumped for him.”
For Tonges, the moment was one he’ll never forget. From a kid dreaming of NFL glory in Los Gatos to scoring the game-winning touchdown against a division rival, his story is one of perseverance and preparation. As the 49ers look ahead to the rest of the season, they know they have a reliable playmaker in Tonges—ready to turn dreams into reality and opponents’ hopes into nightmares.