SAN FRANCISCO – Christian McCaffrey is following in 49ers teammate George Kittle’s patriotic footsteps and receiving the NFL’s Salute to Service Award for supporting the military community.
More acknowledgment and perhaps another award is forthcoming at tonight’s NFL Honors show, from San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.
“This honor means a lot because it reflects the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of the men and women who serve our country,” McCaffrey said in a statement Wednesday morning. “Football has given me a platform, and I believe it comes with a responsibility to serve others the right way.”
McCaffrey will be recognized for that USAA-sponsored award during Thursday night’s NFL Honors show. Kittle earned that distinction a year ago, and he was among this season’s five-person panel of judges.
“As an athlete, I’ve been fortunate to have access to the best care and recovery resources available,” McCaffrey said, “and I believe our service members and veterans deserve that same level of intentional support as they heal from both the visible and invisible wounds of service.”
After carrying an injury-strewn 49ers squad into the NFC playoffs’ divisional round, McCaffrey’s on-field exploits as their leading rusher and receiver has him a finalist for Associated Press awards announced later tonight: NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.
Last month, teammates bestowed upon him their most prestigious honors, the Len Eshmont and Bill Walsh awards, as selected by players and coaches, respectively.
“It’s a huge honor just being nominated and being at things like the Pro Bowl while you’re around great players,” McCaffrey told the Bay Area News Group at Monday’s Pro Bowl practice in San Francisco’s Moscone Center.
In Tuesday night’s 66-52 NFC win at the Pro Bowl’s flag-football game, McCaffrey had a pair of two-point conversion receptions, and his only other touch was on a 6-yard catch.
McCaffrey also received All-Pro designation this season after totaling 1,202 rushing yards, 924 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns, not including his two touchdown catches that keyed the 49ers’ wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia.
He was so pivotal to the 49ers in his ninth year out of Stanford that he started every game, all while the Niners overcame injuries to other stars before bowing out of the NFC divisional-round playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks, who will play in Sunday’s Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium against the New England Patriots.
Two years ago, in McCaffrey’s first full season with the 49ers en route to the Super Bowl, he was the NFL’s rushing champion en route to winning AP Offensive Player of the Year, finishing third in MVP voting and capturing both All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
“Through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation and our 23 and Troops initiative, we’re committed to helping connect military families, service members, and veterans with the care they need on their path to healing,” McCaffrey’s statement resumed. “I’m grateful for this recognition, but the real credit belongs to the men and women who serve. This is for them.”
For following Kittle as the Salute to Service winner, USAA will donate $25,000 to official aid organizations representing all U.S. military brances, and the NFL will match that total to McCaffrey’s military non-profit of choice.
“His unwavering commitment to America’s service members and advocacy through his own foundation make him an outstanding recipient for this prestigious award,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
The Mercury News
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