Despite not having one of his best seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, George Kittle was recognized for the tireless work he does for the military and the veterans community.

In January, it was revealed Kittle was one of three finalists for the annual NFL Salute to Service Award, alongside the Minnesota Vikings’ Aaron Jones and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Morgan Fox. On Wednesday, the NFL announced Kittle had been selected as the winner.

The Niners wasted no time congratulating their star tight end, expressing how proud they were. His wife, Claire Kittle, shared the Niners’ post and added a message to her other half.

“SO PROUD OF YOU @gkittle !!!!!!!!” Claire Kittle captioned her Instagram post.

According to the NFL’s announcement, Kittle is being honored for his “exceptional efforts” to support the military community. USAA, the insurance provider and sponsor of the award, will donate $25,000 in Kittle’s honor to various aid societies that aim to assist veterans and the military community. The NFL will match the $25,000 donation.

“George Kittle truly embodies the essence of the Salute to Service Award,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “His dedication to honoring service members and involvement with numerous military organizations makes him the perfect choice for this honor.

“The NFL family is proud of his dedication to give back to those who sacrifice for our country and congratulates him on this tremendous achievement.”

George and Claire Kittle, who have been married since April 2019, hold a personal connection to the military community. George Kittle’s uncle and grandfather served in the military, and he has been very active in efforts to aid the community through the years.