Harvard Professional Athletes

Kyle Juszczyk has never been the flashiest name on the San Francisco 49ers' roster, but the Harvard fullback had all eyes on him — and his cheering section — during the week of October 25.

Juszczyk hauled in three catches for 11 yards and punched in a receiving touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in a 20–29 loss, a performance that might have been overshadowed by the final score if not for what the cameras caught next. The NFL broadcast zeroed in on the stands, where Kristin Juszczyk and Claire Kittle — wife of tight end George Kittle — erupted in an animated, electric celebration that instantly went viral. The moment was pure, unscripted joy, and it traveled fast.

For a school not typically associated with NFL primetime moments, it was a rare turn in the national spotlight. Juszczyk, a 13-year pro who has quietly built one of the longest careers of any fullback in the modern NFL, served as a reminder that the Ivy League produces legitimate professional talent — even if the league doesn't always pause to notice.

The 49ers fell to 20–29 on the day, meaning the touchdown was ultimately a footnote in a losing effort. But Juszczyk's role as a reliable weapon in San Francisco's offense was on display, and the viral fan reaction ensured the Crimson connection wasn't lost on anyone paying attention.

Elsewhere in the league, Harvard defensive end Truman Jones suited up for the Tennessee Titans in their Week 7 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, a narrow 24–27 loss. No individual stat line was available for Jones, but his presence on an NFL active roster continues a growing tradition of Harvard linemen earning professional opportunities.

The rest of the Crimson's active NFL contingent — Anthony Firkser and Chris Smith with the Lions, Tyler Neville with the Cowboys, Tyler Ott with the Commanders, Jacob Rizy with the Patriots, Spencer Rolland with the Vikings, and Aaron Shampklin with the Dolphins — were in action across the league during the period, though none generated individual headlines this week.

Still, the week belonged to Juszczyk. A fullback scoring touchdowns is a rarity in today's pass-first NFL. A Harvard fullback going viral for it? That's something else entirely.

Kyle Juszczyk gave Harvard fans plenty to celebrate during the week of October 18–24 — and he did it on the biggest possible stage.

The San Francisco 49ers fullback completed what Yahoo Sports called a "miraculous one-week recovery" from a brutal knee injury that, at first glance, looked like it could end his season. Instead, Juszczyk missed only one game and was cleared to play Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders — a turnaround that few expected when he went down.

The return itself was remarkable enough. What surrounded it made the moment something rarer.

A Decade Worth Celebrating

Ahead of the MNF kickoff, the 49ers honored Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle for each reaching 10 years with the franchise — and they didn't do it quietly. The organization staged a drone show over the San Francisco skyline, lighting up the night with images of both players. It was the kind of tribute usually reserved for retirement ceremonies, not active-roster fullbacks heading into a Week 6 game. For a position that has been quietly disappearing from the modern NFL, the gesture carried real weight.

Juszczyk, a 10-time Pro Bowler according to Yahoo Sports, has been a cornerstone of San Francisco's offense for a decade — a rare constant through coaching changes, Super Bowl runs, and the evolution of the game itself. The drone show was a recognition that longevity at this level, especially at fullback, doesn't happen by accident.

Back on the Field, Quietly Efficient

When the game kicked off, Juszczyk did what he does: made himself useful without demanding the spotlight. He hauled in one reception for 10 yards as the 49ers knocked off the Commanders 23–17, improving to what had been a 5-0 record built largely on depth and resilience through an injury-riddled early season. His contribution on the stat sheet was modest, but his presence — in the lineup, in the locker room — was the point.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Juszczyk's activation ahead of the game, according to Heavy Sports, signaling confidence that the fullback was genuinely ready and not simply being rushed back for the occasion.

Elsewhere in the NFL

Harvard's other active NFL alumni had a quieter week. Truman Jones, a defensive end for the Tennessee Titans, was on the field in Tennessee's 26–20 win over the Indianapolis Colts on October 18, though no individual stat line was recorded for him. The rest of Harvard's NFL contingent — including Anthony Firkser and Chris Smith with the Lions, Aaron Shampklin with the Dolphins, and Tyler Ott with the Commanders — had no significant individual news to report during the period.

The week belonged to Juszczyk. A drone show over the Bay, a Monday night return from injury, and another win for the 49ers — not a bad seven days for a fullback who keeps defying the odds, both medically and professionally.

Kyle Juszczyk is making the kind of recovery that has team trainers reaching for words like "remarkable."

The Harvard-bred fullback — a 10-time Pro Bowler and the most decorated Crimson alum currently playing in the NFL — is back practicing in full this week after suffering a knee hyperextension and bone bruise against the Denver Broncos, a hit that raised immediate fears about a lengthy absence. Instead, Juszczyk has returned to the practice field ahead of schedule, putting himself firmly in the conversation to suit up for San Francisco's next game.

The timing could hardly be more welcome for the 49ers, who improved to 5-0 after a hard-fought 32-29 win over the Seattle Seahawks — a result that came with a notable cost. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel exited with a hamstring strain expected to sideline him for multiple weeks, further depleting a receiving corps that was already operating short-handed. In that context, having a reliable, versatile weapon like Juszczyk available in the backfield is more than just good news for blocking schemes — it's a meaningful lift for an offense that needs playmakers it can trust.

Juszczyk has long been the prototype for what the modern fullback can be: a mismatch threat in the passing game, a tone-setter in the run game, and a locker-room anchor built on durability and professionalism. His ability to bounce back this quickly from a knee scare reinforces all of that.

For Harvard football, Juszczyk remains the flagship name — proof that Ivy League talent can sustain at the highest level of the professional game. No other active Crimson alum has matched his longevity or individual accolades in the NFL, and his continued presence as a key contributor on one of the league's best teams keeps Harvard in the pro football conversation year after year.

The rest of the Harvard alumni corps had a quieter week. Truman Jones and the Tennessee Titans fell to the Houston Texans 26-3 on Sunday, a lopsided result with little to celebrate for the Harvard defensive end. Anthony Firkser and Chris Smith are both with the Lions; Tyler Neville remains on the Cowboys' roster; Tyler Ott is snapping for Washington; Jacob Rizy and Spencer Rolland continue to hold roster spots in New England and Minnesota, respectively; and Aaron Shampklin is with the Dolphins. None generated notable statistical activity during the period.

But this week belongs to Juszczyk. A scary knee injury, a faster-than-expected recovery, and a 5-0 team that needs him — it's the kind of story Harvard fans can feel good about heading into the weekend.