NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
SAN FRANCISCO – Christian McCaffrey has been named the recipient of the NFL’s 2026 Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA.
The San Francisco 49ers running back launched “23 and Troops” in 2021 to focus on post-traumatic stress and veteran care at the athlete level. The foundation raised $700,000 for military support and paid for vacations for 515 military families.
McCaffrey grew up about a half-hour from a military base, so he always knew this was the community he wanted to help.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“I think from a very young age, my parents instilled in me a respect for the military and what it means to live in this country. I’ve always appreciated that, and growing up in this area, a lot of your mentors end up becoming veterans because they’re in the area, and you learn from them, you learn about their experiences and some of the things they’ve done or seen. And that really made me appreciate it even more,” McCaffrey said.
“It’s a huge honor,” he added. “You know, we make a living playing a children’s game, and we’re playing in front of millions of people. And a lot of that is due to the people who have sacrificed for us. And it’s not just the people who have served or are serving, it’s their families, their wives, their husbands, their children, who have to go through so much, and a lot of that goes unnoticed. They don’t get credit for this stuff.”
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium. (David Gonzales/Imagn Images)
AMERICA250 JOINS NFL AT SUPER BOWL TO MARK THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATION IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE
Early in his founding and research, McCaffrey was struck when he read that 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
“That’s why I’m doing this. I’m trying to get that number down as much as possible,” he said.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also gave Super Bowl tickets to 14-year veteran and Purple Heart recipient SJ Farin.
“It means everything to me,” Lamb told PK Press Club Digital on the radio. I have an uncle who is also in the Air Force, that means everything. I know what it takes to have a family member who isn’t always there, but who does whatever it takes to make sure we are protected. So for me, it’s just about giving back where it’s deserved. »
The award remains with the 49ers, as George Kittle was last year’s recipient.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown with Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
“Anytime you’re around guys like George who have the personality and the game and are a Hall of Fame player, but also love to give back, it’s inspiring and it makes you want to do the same,” McCaffrey said.
