Claire Kittle, the spouse of San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, is reportedly harbouring a significant grudge against NFL podcast hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. The dispute has ignited following a podcast appearance last June, where Compton posed a provocative question that Claire now links to her husband's devastating injury.
The Controversial Interview That Sparked the Feud
During an episode of the popular podcast Bussin' With the Boys, Compton, a former NFL linebacker, directly questioned George Kittle about his dedication to winning a Super Bowl. Specifically, Compton asked if Kittle would willingly go on injured reserve in the final week of the season if it guaranteed the 49ers would secure the Lombardi Trophy. Kittle responded affirmatively, stating he would make that sacrifice.
Injury Fallout and Blame Game
Months later, in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs, George Kittle suffered a severe Achilles rupture during the 49ers' victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. This injury abruptly ended his season, and it appears Claire Kittle attributes this misfortune to Compton and Lewan's line of questioning. Compton recently disclosed on the podcast, "George said his wife is mad at us. We did the whole 'would you do anything for a Super Bowl' and I said would you go on IR the last week of the season if it meant the team could win a Super Bowl and he was like 'Yes'. I don't know why she's mad at me, the football gods obviously didn't deliver their end of the bargain."
He further revealed that Kittle sent him a clip, confirming, "Yeah, you guys are on her shit list." Compton attempted to deflect responsibility, suggesting the blame should fall on the "football gods" rather than the podcasters themselves.
Broader Context of Kittle's Injury Struggles
This incident is not an isolated one in George Kittle's career, as he has faced a series of serious injuries in recent seasons that have hampered his performance. Earlier in the season, he endured a grade three hamstring tear in Week 1, causing him to miss five games. Additionally, a left ankle sprain in December sidelined him for another match. The previous season saw him absent in Weeks 3 and 11 due to a recurring thigh injury, highlighting a pattern of physical setbacks.
Playoff Outcome and Irony
Ironically, Kittle's sacrifice did not yield the desired result for the 49ers. After their Wild Card win, San Francisco was decisively defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the following round. The Seahawks ultimately triumphed as Super Bowl champions, dominating the New England Patriots 29-13. This outcome underscores the futility of the hypothetical bargain discussed on the podcast, adding a layer of poignancy to the situation.
The feud between Claire Kittle and the podcast hosts continues to simmer, reflecting the intense emotions and superstitions often surrounding professional sports injuries. As Compton noted, while he finds the blame unfair, he acknowledges Claire's perspective, stating, "That's fair, but if I could pass the blame, I'd put that on the football gods." This episode serves as a stark reminder of how offhand comments in media can have unintended personal repercussions in the high-stakes world of the NFL.
