Podcast Summary: The Kittle Things — Episode 7

Title: George Kittle & Kyle Juszczyk Reveal Their "Unstoppable" Play, Rip Rare Pokemon Cards & Talk About How They Met Their Wives
Hosts: George Kittle & Claire Kittle
Guests: Kyle Juszczyk & Kristen Houston Juszczyk
Date: November 18, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Kittle Things is a vibrant, laughter-filled hangout with power couples George and Claire Kittle, and Kyle and Kristen Juszczyk. The friends share the stories and rituals that bond them—both on and off the football field. From prank wars and football tales, to sharing relationship origin stories, and even geeking out over Pokémon and fashion, the show delivers a perfect mix of humor and heart.

Key Sections & Discussion Highlights

1. Prank Wars and Locker Room Stories

[02:29–03:27]

• George tells a detailed story about a classic locker room prank: “One of our veteran offensive linemen stole a rookie’s keys and filled his entire car with packaging peanuts… They got home at like 1am, opened their car door and it’s just full.”
• The group reflects on the mischief and camaraderie that sustains NFL team culture.

2. How Their Friendship (and Football Partnership) Began

[05:18–10:43]

• George and Kyle reminisce on how their friendship flourished in 2018 with football, golf trips, and inside jokes—“From golf trips to Cabo to Spirit Bros…”
• Spirit Bros explained: a special run play where George and Kyle block together.
  • George: “If you ever see those cool plays where me or Juice is running one direction and then we block one guy together, those are called Spirit Bros. Plays.” [06:37]
  • Kyle: “Those are our favorite plays. Those are really fun.” [06:43]
• They humorously talk about the first rough season as 49ers:
  • Kristen: “The whole team was new… I remember Kyle got a text from Bobby T. and you know that sheer panic when it hits your face… Is everything okay?” [08:47]

3. Relationship Origin Stories

[10:43–15:37]

• How Kyle & Kristen Met
  • Kristen, in classic millennial fashion, spots Kyle at a Ravens game (“I saw Kyle on the field and thought he was very handsome.” [12:23]), Facebook stalks him, then jokes, “I’m gonna marry that guy one day, I swear to God.” [12:51]
  • Kyle strategically likes Kristen’s old photos. “Not just older pictures, like, you know, that showed that I was scrolling pictures of only Kristen, no other friends in the picture.” [13:20]
  • They humorously debate who made the first move (Kristen, after some “liquid courage”: “Hey, why you liking my photo?” [14:21])
  • Their first date is a three-hour dinner they don’t want to end.

4. Football: Playbook Deep Dives

[16:05–17:15]

• George admits, “...there was a time where I was having you [Claire] read all the plays off to me so I could study.” [16:05]
• They break down a play call for listeners—showing the mental side of the NFL.
• George on learning: “Sometimes the best plays are the simple ones… but I hate memorizing the playbook sometimes.” [15:37]

5. "UI Versus AI" – Couples’ Game

[17:15–21:19]

• Claire leads a trivia segment pitting real-life knowledge vs AI-generated facts about the Juszczyks.
  • Hilarious misfires from AI:
    • On Kyle’s dorm: “AI was wrong. It’s actually… Pforzheimer.” [18:17]
    • On Kristen’s favorite game show (“The Weakest Link,” not “Wheel of Fortune”) [18:42–18:47]
    • On grilling: Kristen lists all the healthy items, AI overshoots with “veggie shrimp and steak.” [19:31]
  • On Kyle’s favorite book: “AI knows nothing about me. I also, if you use ChatGPT, I’m a Grok guy…” [20:17]
• Notable quote:
  • Kristen: “Trying to get yourself a man? Take solo pics in a sunflower field.” [13:49]
  • George: “You gotta play the game. You're just simmering low. Simmer, low burn.” [14:05]

6. Pokémon Obsession: Childhood Nostalgia & Card Rip

[21:44–24:56, 28:02–31:09]

• George and Kyle’s mutual love for Pokémon:
  • George: “Pokemon was in our lives before [our wives]. My earliest memories were playing Pokemon Blue on the Game Boy Color.” [22:05–22:09]
  • They confess to still playing on emulators and compare their earliest memories.
• Funny story: George didn’t know you could save the game as a kid — “The first 24 hours I’d get up to Brock, then turn it off and lose all progress. My dad found the save button, it changed my life.” [24:20–24:56]
• School nostalgia about Pokémon card trading and tournaments; George and Kyle recall card bans and losing to much older competitors.
• Card pack opening with live reactions:
  • “We got a Ghastly!” [30:11]
  • Unexpectedly pull a card similar to Claire’s personality and celebrate:
    • “Your ability is dark. Mind you. Resist fighting types. Nice.” [31:00]
    • “What are the odds that I pulled a Claire?” [31:10]

7. Fashion Entrepreneur: Kristen’s "Off Season" Brand

[31:21–36:29]

• Kristen shares her journey of launching the Off Season fashion brand in early 2025.
• “I, you know, done reworked clothes for a long time. Claire and I love dressing up for game days… I just got so addicted to making new stuff.” [31:37]
• The puffer vests become style hits—especially with Debo Samuel and Purdy’s famous floral vest.
• On collaboration: “...got a business partner, Emma Greed… She’s literally the most amazing person in the world.” [32:35]
• Plans to roll out gear for more NFL and WNBA teams, emphasizing the logistical challenges of inventory and climate differences—“Also, nobody wants puffer jackets in Miami, you know.”

8. The Power of Friendship & NFL Career Threats

[38:52–40:23]

• George and Kyle reflect on being the two longest-tenured 49ers, surviving off-season roster uncertainty together:
  • “One of the hardest, worst phone calls we ever had to make was FaceTiming you guys… to tell you we weren’t on the team. It was really sad, a testament to our friendship.” [39:15–39:22]
  • “But I think it’s a testament to, like, win or lose, you want to play with your brothers…” [39:44]
  • Resigning was a huge relief, shared joyfully with the Kittles mid-wedding reception.

9. “Game Ball” Lightning Round — Fun Couple Superlatives

[41:03–44:09]

• A playful rapid-fire segment, awarding “game balls” for traits like best handwriting, replacing toilet paper, coffee consumption, fashion/laundry habits, who was more popular, and… best dancer.
  • George (on dancing): “I’m not saying I’m a great dancer, but I dance all the time, at all times. I’m always dancing.” [43:26]
  • Claire (joking): “You dance in life… No, like, how old were you, like, 12 years ago?” [43:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On enduring friendship and football:
  • Kyle: “Win or lose, you want to play with your brothers. It just makes it so special.” [39:44]
• On Pokémon nostalgia:
  • Kyle: “That definitely was like a formative part of my childhood, was Pokémon.” [24:00]
  • George: “I had the Pokémon song completely memorized. All 151.” [24:07]
• On advice for romance:
  • Kristen: “Take solo pics in a sunflower field.” [13:49]
  • George: “You gotta play the game. You're just simmering low. Simmer, low burn.” [14:05]
• On fashion entrepreneurship:
  • Kristen: “The most recent [piece] is always my favorite because I put my blood, sweat, and tears into that and then finally see it on [the athlete].” [35:20]
• On keeping it real:
  • George: “Invite me to a wedding, I’m a great wedding guest!” [43:39]

Classic Episode Vibes

Throughout, the episode is lighthearted, honest, and deeply personal, as the friends roast each other, geek out over their obsessions, and show real love for both their careers and relationships. The chemistry is palpable, especially when comparing NFL intensity versus childhood joys like Pokémon or the creative rush of fashion design.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|---------------| | Prank Wars & Locker Room Stories | 02:29–03:27 | | Football Friendship/Spirit Bros | 05:18–10:43 | | Relationship Origin Stories | 10:43–15:37 | | Playbook Memory & Study Hacks | 16:05–17:15 | | Couples’ Game: UI vs AI Facts | 17:15–21:19 | | Pokémon Nostalgia & Card Opening | 21:44–24:56, 28:02–31:09 | | Kristen’s Off Season Brand | 31:21–36:29 | | Friendship & NFL Careers | 38:52–40:23 | | “Game Ball” Fun Superlatives | 41:03–44:09 |

In the words of George Kittle (24:07):

“I had the Pokémon song completely memorized. All 151.”

And Kristen, summing up her entrepreneurial journey (31:37):

“I just got so addicted to making new stuff... I felt so proud to wear it.”

This episode is a joyful celebration of friendship, football, fandom, and creative hustle—full of inside jokes, playful nostalgia, and heartfelt connection.