In so many ways, NFL players are not like average people. They are incredible physical specimens who also possess a remarkable work ethic and determination that earn them their superstar statuses. 

But as Netflix’s Receiver shows, some of the league’s biggest stars have a lot in common with their fans who idolize them. Here are each of the five cast members’ most relatable moments from the eight-episode series, available to stream on Netflix now.

George Kittle

The love Kittle and his wife, Claire, have for each other cuts through the screen during Receiver, and their goofy yet fierce personalities are the definition of #couplegoals. 

We get a perfect example of that in the season premiere, which concludes with Kittle’s 30th birthday. Claire, whose enthusiastic support for her husband during each game makes her perhaps the standout character of the series, surprised George by flying several of his old friends out for a party at their home after a primetime Sunday Night Football game (which the 49ers fortunately won). 

The night turned rowdy after Kittle scored three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. Post-game, the group took a party bus, where the hirsute tight end marked the occasion by shotgunning a beer. 

“Being able to be on that bus and ride home with everybody, drink a couple brewskis … that was awesome,” Kittle says. “Just to have my friends show up for me, just an all-around incredible experience. And I’m very blessed to have that.”

The segment serves as a reminder that while certain stars require a superyacht, sometimes a party bus will do the trick. 

Deebo Samuel

When you see a good friend in a confrontation, it’s only natural to want to defend them — even if it may get you in trouble, too. 

That’s what happens with Samuel in Episode 3, when fellow 49ers player Brandon Aiyuk finds himself at the center of a pregame scuffle with some Cleveland Browns defenders, jawing at each other. Samuel comes to his teammate’s aid, and some pushing and shoving ensues before cooler heads prevail. 

The cameras hone in on Samuel’s giddy playfulness throughout the confrontation — as he gleefully, repeatedly exclaims, “It’s on, boy! It’s up!” — and paint the incident in a different light from what was reported during the season. As seen in Receiver, Samuel and Aiyuk appear to simply take a pregame hype session a little too far, rather than trying to cause a legitimate conflict with their opponents. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Some NFL players don’t mind taking big hits on the gridiron, and even revel in the contact. Others, like the rest of us, would prefer not to be slugged by some of the fiercest tacklers on the planet. 

In Episode 3, St. Brown returns to the field after missing a game due to an oblique injury — and proceeds to make a big impact against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On one play, the Lions’ star receiver hauls in a pass over the middle downfield and slides to the ground to avoid several oncoming defenders, ending the play. 

Detroit’s receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and St. Brown’s teammate Jameson Williams are quick to tease him on the sideline for sliding instead of absorbing a tackle and fighting for more yards. St. Brown scoffs and says, “Man, I ain’t taking no hits. I’m tired of something happening every game. … Nothing’s hurt. They can make fun of me all they want, I’m available.” 

“I’m not breaking these tackles. These dudes are looking at me and facing me up,” St. Brown later says. “I don’t need to take unnecessary hits. Your availability is your best ability at this point. Taking unnecessary hits is just not smart to me.”

Justin Jefferson

Even with private chefs and personal nutritionists, some of the best athletes on Earth can’t stick to a completely healthy diet. And Jefferson’s food vice is candy.

The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year keeps several jars stuffed with Reese’s Cups, full-size Snickers bars, and Sour Patch Kids, among other treats. While he playfully blames his mother for buying the jars in the first place, it’s pretty clear he’d find a way to get his sugar fix no matter what. 

“I did get the candy for his house,” Jefferson’s mom, Elaine, admits in Episode 2. “But it’s for his friends! Not for him!” 

“I eat candy in the morning, I eat candy at nighttime,” Jefferson says. “While I can right now, I'm gonna continue to eat the candy, eat the junk food while my body is still young.”

Davante Adams

Like Jefferson, Adams can’t resist the occasional cheat day, and his fast food restaurant of choice is Taco Bell. Adams, however, also enjoys the perks that come with being endorsed by the beloved Mexican-inspired chain.

In Episode 5, Adams takes a trip to Taco Bell’s headquarters in the middle of the Raiders’ bye week, where he’s treated to a meal full of new and unreleased concoctions. 

“Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory is definitely a way to describe it,” Adams says. “They got some scientists in there figuring out the best way to do different things.” 

If Taco Bell’s chefs are scientists, Adams is more than willing to be a taste tester. As he confesses to the cameras, “[It] might be one of my favorite parts of the season.”