WATCH: George Kittle, wife Claire share intimate moment on the sidelines ahead of 49ers-Lions MNF clash

George Kittle has nothing to play for but personal pride this season as his San Francisco 49ers had been eliminated from playoff contention a few weeks back, cementing their downfall from Super Bowl finalists last season. Nevertheless, he still took to the field on Monday night, supported from the stands by his wife, Claire.

Just before the game against the Detroit Lions, the camera caught the couple embracing and kissing as fans of both teams looked on and cheered.

The two spent Christmas exchanging gifts with fullback Kyle Juszczyk and his wife, Kristin, who reminisced about the experience when speaking to People magazine:

"I think in the football world, we're really all such a family, especially because the football season does overlap with the holiday season."

But the holidays were more somber than usual, given the 49ers' early playoff elimination. Speaking to Us Weekly before it happened, Claire said:

“They’re competitors. They’re professional athletes. They want to win and want to be successful. So, yeah, of course, there’s some level of disappointment. But you just take it as a learning experience and you try to really capitalize on the moments that you have left, because each year is so vastly different.”

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George Kittle motivated for NFCCG rematch against Lions on MNF

In another world, Monday’s game would have playoff implications for both teams. But no matter the stakes, George Kittle foresees himself playing hard against the Lions, who are treating the game as a warm-up before their monumental clash against the Minnesota Vikings next week with the NFC North, conference top seed, and first-round bye at stake

Speaking inside the locker room after practice on Friday, he promised the same result as what happened in the NFC Championship Game, when the 49ers overcame a 17-point deficit to win 34-31 and advance to Super Bowl LVIII:

“We’re all very aware that they think they gave us one last year. And I think they are going to do everything they can to beat us by 30 points. And it’s our job to not let them do that. I fully expect us to win. I go into every single game expecting to win. If you go in expecting to lose, I think you are going to lose. No matter what. I think it’s going to be a really fun game.”

The 49ers end their campaign at the Arizona Cardinals on Jan 5, 2025.