"He talked trash on another level": Kevin Garnett reveals untold folklore of Giants legend Lawrence Taylor on George Kittle's podcast

During Tuesday’s episode of "Kittle Things," San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and his wife, Claire, interviewed NBA great Kevin Garnett. The former Timberwolves star opened up about how he became a football fan. He said that New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor was the first player who really pulled him into the sport.

When asked by Kittle which team he roots for in the NFL, Garnett revealed that he's more of a "player's guy" and he went on to list some of the players he enjoyed watching, including Ray Lewis, Julius Peppers and Randy Moss. However, he noted that it was Taylor who made him love football.

"Lawrence Taylor made me love football," Garnett said (6:50-7:50). "Played at high energy, played with an intensity, you know, he talked trash on another level. When I saw that, I resonated to him. I've floated with teams, but I've always been like a player guy."

Taylor dominated the NFL for 13 seasons with the Giants, carving out a legacy as one of the all-time greats. He wasn’t just feared for his play, though. He was feared for his mouth as well, as his bold trash talk messed with opponents’ minds and helped shape his reputation as a defender you didn’t want to line up against.

Garnett could relate. Over his 21 years in the NBA, he was known for his fire, his competitiveness, and the unique style of trash talk he used to gain a mental edge.

Taylor’s résumé speaks for itself. He helped the Giants to two Super Bowl wins, won the NFL MVP award, and claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors three times. His explosive athleticism completely reshaped the outside linebacker role.

Over his career, Taylor piled up 142 sacks, 1,088 tackles, nine interceptions and three defensive touchdowns, numbers that earned him a Hall of Fame induction in 1999.

Garnett found similar success in the NBA. He won the 2008 championship with the Boston Celtics, earned the league MVP in 2004, made 15 All-Star teams, won Defensive Player of the Year once, and later joined the Basketball Hall of Fame.

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George Kittle reveals what he thinks about Deebo Samuel joining the Commanders last offseason

In the offseason, the 49ers moved on from Deebo Samuel, trading him to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 fifth-round selection after six seasons together. The decision was mostly financial, as San Francisco needed the cap flexibility to sign long-term agreements with Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk.

On Tuesday, Kevin Garnett pressed George Kittle on his reaction to San Francisco moving on from Samuel.

"I love Deebo. One of my favorite teammates of all time," Kittle said. "He’s got the aura. He’s got the persona. He hits people. He makes all the superstar plays. I love him to death. Sometimes guys need a fresh start and I think that’s what he wanted."

"He wanted a change of scenery and I respect that. I got great years out of Deebo and have a great relationship with him. I love him for it, but if we play him I hope he doesn’t have a great game against us."

Samuel has been productive for the 3–9 Commanders, tallying 58 receptions, 534 yards and five touchdowns across 11 games. He’s scheduled to become a free agent in 2026, and it’s unclear whether he’ll stay with Washington or look for a new opportunity.