Claire Kittle just made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut — and she did not hold back. The content creator, podcaster, and wife of San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle stepped in front of the lens on the sun-drenched shores of Captiva Island, Florida, wearing a cherry red string bikini that's already got the internet obsessed.
Photographed by Katherine Goguen for the February 2026 SI Swimsuit digital issue, Kittle joined an all-star lineup of NFL-connected women: Normani, Brittany Mahomes, Haley Cavinder, Christen Goff, and Ronika Love. The six women became digital cover models together — and if there was any question about whether Claire could hold her own in that company, one look at her gallery answers it.
Photo via Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
A Debut Years in the Making
For Claire, this moment was deeply personal. "In college, my husband was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for football," she told the magazine on set. "So now, I get to have one, too." She spent two months preparing for the shoot and described herself as deeply proud of "that strong girl" who showed up on the beach ready to own it.
Kittle — who played basketball at Iowa before becoming one of the NFL's most recognizable wives and creators — wore a stunning cherry red string bikini by FAE for her individual cover and a second two-piece by Bamba Swim featuring gold metallic hardware. The SI Swimsuit team leaned into 49ers fan culture, styling her in custom red and gold pieces that paid subtle tribute to her husband's team. Bold, intentional, and completely unapologetic — that's the Claire Kittle vibe.
Why This Moment Hits Different
There's something electric about watching women who've existed in the sideline spotlight finally step into their own. Claire hasn't been invisible — she co-hosts the Kittle Things podcast with George (where they interview industry leaders and give fans a peek behind NFL doors), launched the Wife'd Up, Mic'd Up YouTube series with Off Season founder Kristin Juszczyk, and founded the HOSS Tailgate Tour — a traveling tailgate experience built around community and football sisterhood. The acronym stands for "The House of Sports and Sisterhood," and yes, it's as cool as it sounds.
Photo via Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
The SI Swimsuit class of February 2026 felt intentional in another way too: it centered women who built their identities beyond the relationships that first put them in the spotlight. Kittle arrived as herself — creator, athlete, entrepreneur — and wore that red bikini like a declaration.
Get the Look: Bold String Bikini Energy for Under $50
Claire's FAE cherry red string bikini is everything we love about the style: minimal coverage, maximum confidence, tie-front top and cheeky bottoms that let the silhouette speak for itself. If you want that same bold-color string bikini energy this spring, Audi Swim's Bow Babe Contrast collection delivers it for a fraction of the price.
The Bow Babe Contrast top has the same adjustable triangle tie construction Claire wore — it sits right, moves with you, and looks incredible against sun-kissed skin. Mix and match colors or go full tonal. Here's the lineup:
- Bow Babe Contrast Top – Pink ($24.99) — the bold-color moment Claire would approve of
- Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms – Pink ($24.99) — cheeky cut, just like her shoot look
- Bow Babe Contrast Top – Sky Blue ($24.99) — coastal fresh, perfect for Captiva Island vibes
- Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms – Sky Blue ($24.99) — wear it as a set or mix with solid colors
Made from Luxe-Flex nylon-spandex with that perfect amount of stretch and hold, these are built to stay in place whether you're poolside or walking a beach like Captiva Island. For the full breakdown on how to style this look, check out our String Bikini Complete 2026 Style Guide — it covers fit, tie techniques, and how to wear it from beach to bar.
The Full NFL WAG Class of SI Swimsuit 2026
Claire wasn't alone on that Captiva Island beach. She shared the cover shoot with five other women, each of whom brought their own energy to the issue. Brittany Mahomes returned after her 2024 Belize shoot. Normani made her debut alongside Haley Cavinder, Ronika Love, and Christen Goff — the latter making her sixth appearance with the brand. It was a statement: this is what confidence looks like in 2026, and it comes in every shade.
If you're loving this string bikini moment, you're not alone. Bookmark the Bow Babe Contrast collection now — and check out our guide to the Sexiest Bikinis for 2026 to see more bold looks worth adding to your rotation.
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