George Kittle is the San Francisco 49ers' superstar tight end, widely regarded as one of the best all-around players at his position in NFL history. His wife is Claire Kittle (née Till), whom he married in 2019 after the two met as student-athletes at the University of Iowa.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Krieger Kittle |
| Date of Birth | October 9, 1993 |
| Age | 33 |
| Birthplace | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Position | Tight End |
| Current Team | San Francisco 49ers |
| College | Iowa (2012–2016) |
| Wife | Claire Kittle (née Till) |
| Children | None publicly confirmed |
| Estimated Net Worth | $20M–$35M (estimates) |
Early Life and College
George Kittle was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and moved to Iowa as a young child. He comes from a deeply athletic family: his father Bruce was a four-year football letterman and co-captain of the 1982 Rose Bowl squad at the University of Iowa who later became a college football coach, while his mother Jan Krieger is in the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame and earned All-America honors in basketball at Drake University. His sister Emma also grew up in the family's sports-centered world.
Kittle attended Iowa City West High School and Cedar Falls High School in Iowa before finishing at Norman High School in Oklahoma. He committed to the University of Iowa, where he played for the Hawkeyes from 2012 to 2016 under head coach Kirk Ferentz. His college receiving production was modest — 48 career receptions for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns — in part because Iowa's tight end room was crowded with future NFL players like Noah Fant, and in part because Kittle's greatest strength, his ferocious run blocking, didn't show up in receiving stats.
NFL scouts noticed his athleticism at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at 247 pounds. He was projected as a third-to-fourth round pick but slid to the fifth round, where the 49ers selected him 146th overall.
NFL Career
Kittle's rise from fifth-round pick to superstar is one of the NFL's great draft-day steals. He became the 49ers' starting tight end as a rookie in 2017, then exploded in 2018 with 88 receptions for 1,377 yards — briefly breaking the NFL single-season receiving yards record for a tight end in the same afternoon Travis Kelce had set it. That season earned him his first Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection.
In 2019 he was a cornerstone of the 49ers team that reached Super Bowl LIV, earning first-team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl. On August 13, 2020, San Francisco rewarded him with a five-year, $75 million extension — then the richest contract ever for a tight end.
Though injuries cost him games in 2020 and 2021, Kittle kept producing at an elite level, adding more Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. He reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in 2024, catching 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. On April 29, 2025, the 49ers signed him to another landmark deal: a four-year, $76.4 million extension with $40 million guaranteed, again making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history at an average of $19.1 million per season. The deal runs through the 2029 season and reflects the organization's desire for Kittle to retire as a lifelong 49er.
Through Week 3 of the 2026 season, Kittle's career totals stood at roughly 607 receptions, 8,182 receiving yards, and 55 touchdowns — numbers that put him among the most productive tight ends of all time. He has been selected to seven Pro Bowls and named first-team All-Pro twice (2019, 2023) with three second-team All-Pro nods.
Beyond the stats, Kittle is beloved for his relentless blocking, his high-energy personality, and his connection with fans. He co-founded Tight End University, the annual offseason summit for the position's best players, and is a well-known wrestling and gaming enthusiast.
Off the field, Kittle has built one of the most marketable profiles among NFL tight ends, with endorsement partnerships including Nike, Bud Light, Bose, Gatorade, and Old Spice. His larger-than-life persona has made him a fan favorite in commercials and media appearances, and his marriage to fitness entrepreneur and podcast host Claire Kittle has made the couple one of the league's most visible pairings. The April 2025 extension — $76.4 million over four years — was widely seen as the 49ers locking in both a franchise cornerstone and a cultural ambassador for the team through the end of the decade.
Wife and Family
George Kittle's wife is Claire Kittle (née Till). The two met as freshmen at the University of Iowa in 2012, where Claire was a standout basketball player studying health and human physiology. They began dating in college and stayed together through Kittle's NFL draft and early 49ers career.
George proposed to Claire in August 2018 on a Santa Cruz beach, staging the proposal as an "NFL photo shoot" to keep it a surprise. The couple eloped in April 2019 in Iowa City in a small, intimate ceremony attended only by immediate family — reportedly held inside a local jewelry store after a rooftop plan was scrapped due to weather, with George's father Bruce officiating.
Claire Kittle, born May 24, 1994 in Dubuque, Iowa, has built her own profile as a fitness entrepreneur, former collegiate athlete, podcast host, and social media personality, becoming one of the NFL's most visible and admired wives. As of 2026, the couple has no publicly confirmed children.
Net Worth
George Kittle's net worth is estimated between $20 million and $35 million, according to various published outlets — figures that should be treated as estimates, not confirmed facts. His documented career earnings through 2024 exceeded $62.5 million (per Spotrac), and his April 2025 extension added a potential $76.4 million more, with $40 million guaranteed and an $18.145 million signing bonus.
Endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Bud Light, Bose, Gatorade, and Old Spice contribute to his income, and he has invested in real estate and business ventures. His career earnings trajectory places him among the highest-earning tight ends in league history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is George Kittle's wife? George Kittle's wife is Claire Kittle (née Till), a fitness entrepreneur and former University of Iowa basketball player. They married in April 2019.
How old is George Kittle? George Kittle was born on October 9, 1993, making him 33 years old.
What is George Kittle's net worth? Published estimates place George Kittle's net worth between $20 million and $35 million, driven by two record-setting NFL contracts and endorsement deals.
When was George Kittle drafted? Kittle was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft after playing college football at Iowa.
Is George Kittle still with the 49ers? Yes. Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension in April 2025 that keeps him under contract with San Francisco through the 2029 season, making him the NFL's highest-paid tight end.