Claire Kittle Embraces ‘WAG’ Label Amidst Ongoing Debate

Claire Kittle, commonly recognized as the wife of San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, has expressed her acceptance of the term ‘WAG,’ an acronym for Wives and Girlfriends of athletes. Speaking to Us Weekly, Kittle acknowledged the practicality and simplicity of the term despite its controversial nature. “It’s a short and quick term, you know? What else would have the same effect? It kind of works!” she stated.

The term ‘WAG’ has faced criticism over the years for its perceived sexism and derogatory implications. In 2010, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission labeled the term as such, noting it was often used pejoratively to target a group of women. Despite this, Kittle appears unfazed by the terminology and embraces her role alongside her husband’s burgeoning career.

Claire and George Kittle’s relationship dates back to their university days at The University of Iowa, where they met in 2012. While George played for the university’s football team, Claire was part of the women’s basketball team. The couple married in April 2019, and Claire has since become a familiar figure in the athletic community.

Claire Kittle cited her friendships within the 49ers organization, including close ties with Kristin Juszczyk and Olivia Culpo, as integral to her positive outlook on the “WAG” moniker. She spoke highly of the community within the team, stating, “It’s unbelievable here. This is our eighth year, which is just rare in itself to have him play for one team for his entire career thus far. We’re just so blessed and grateful to be part of this organization. They really are top in the NFL.”

In a broader context, the subject of WAGs has gained attention through reality television, notably the series “WAGS,” which premiered in 2015 and explored the lives of athletes’ wives and girlfriends. The series highlighted both the glamorous and tumultuous aspects of their lives, leading to further discourse on the representation of these women in media.

Claire Kittle emphasized a supportive community among WAGs, stating there is “absolutely not” a rivalry with counterparts from other NFL teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, whose circle includes celebrities like Taylor Swift. Jokingly, she added, “Unless we play against them, then it’s a different story.”

With ongoing discussions about gender roles and representation in sports, Claire Kittle remains focused on empowerment. “Women are more involved in sports. They’re more interested in what’s going on,” she noted, stressing the importance of women’s engagement and success in various fields.