At a Glance
- Claire Kittle posted an emotional Instagram tribute after husband George tore his right Achilles on Jan. 11
- The 49ers tight end was carted off during the Wild Card playoff against the Eagles
- San Francisco still won 23-19 and advances to face Seattle on Jan. 17
- Why it matters: The rare public glimpse into an NFL family’s raw reaction to a season-ending injury
Claire Kittle is channeling disbelief into determination after watching her husband, George Kittle, crumple to the turf with a torn right Achilles in the first half of the 49ers’ Wild Card showdown with Philadelphia.
The 31-year-old social-media fixture broke her silence two days later, sharing a carousel of sideline photos and a caption that traced the moment the Pro-Bowl tight end stayed down longer than usual.
The Moment Everything Stopped
Claire wrote that she repeatedly yelled “get up, get up,” expecting the 32-year-old to spring to his feet as he had after countless hits. “Disbelief and stillness were all I felt… He always gets up. He’s George – he can do all things. He just does it. It hurts. There’s no preparing for it.”
The injury occurred before halftime; medical staff carted George to the locker room as Claire watched from the stands.
Claire’s Promise of a Comeback
In the same post she praised his resilience: “I love this man with everything I have in me. He is a unicorn in this world, and he will be back stronger and better than ever before. The mind of a heartbroken athlete is a determined one. He is unf–kwithable, as is this entire team.”
Slideshow images show:
- George on a training table with a swollen ankle
- The couple sharing a kiss on the sideline before kickoff
- Claire embracing him in the tunnel after the diagnosis
49ers Move On Without Their Star
Despite losing their top pass-catcher, San Francisco edged Philadelphia 23-19. The victory propels them into the divisional round against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Claire saluted the roster’s resolve: “I’m proud of these guys and the rally-together grit they fight with each week. It’s a special year, you can feel that and we’re not done yet.”
She ended the caption by thanking fans: “Thank you for loving G and carrying some of this pain for us ❤️.”
George’s Own Locker-Room Reaction
George, who according to News Of Losangeles requested a bottle of tequila after learning the severity of the tear, posted his response the following day.
“Football sucks sometimes. But I love it,” he wrote beside photos of the hit and Claire kissing his forehead in the locker room. “I love these guys and this team. Heartbroken but have felt so much love and support from everyone reaching out. I’ll be good. Thank you. We aren’t done yet!”
Timeline of the Weekend
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 11 | George Kittle suffers right Achilles tear vs. Eagles |
| Jan. 12 | 49ers confirm season-ending diagnosis |
| Jan. 13 | Claire posts tribute; George shares update |
| Jan. 17 | 49ers face Seahawks without Kittle |
Key Takeaways
- A torn Achilles typically requires 9-12 months of recovery, placing George’s return around the 2026 season opener
- The 49ers advance despite losing one of their captains, underscoring depth at tight end
- Public support from Claire and George highlights the emotional toll injuries take on players’ families
- San Francisco will rely on backup tight ends Charlie Woerner and Eric Saubert against Seattle
