San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey feels incredibly blessed to be where he is today. And it's not just about his team being one win away from a Super Bowl championship. McCaffrey is grateful for the opportunity to play in the NFL.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, McCaffrey was asked about the significance of playing football, the sport he has loved his whole life.
"Football is very spiritual for me," McCaffrey said. "One of the things my dad used to teach me is that whatever blessings God has given you, you have to maximize them. You have to honor the gift. And it is very spiritual for me. It's how I represent myself.
"I think football is the greatest sport ever because you can define yourself without ever saying a word, and I think that's a really cool thing. I don't think every job you can do that, and so I appreciate the blessings that God's given me, and I'm just thankful that I get to do this for a living."
McCaffrey, 27, has achieved significant success over his career. The running back has amassed 10,505 scrimmage yards and 81 touchdowns through his seven NFL seasons, including 3,233 scrimmage yards and 31 touchdowns since joining the 49ers in 2022.
When asked about working with head coach Kyle Shanahan over the past two seasons, McCaffrey praised his coach, saying, "I've been so fortunate to be able to learn in that room from him. He's the smartest mind I've ever been around when it comes to football, and I think anyone who gets to sit in those meetings with Kyle is lucky."
This season, McCaffrey's 2,023 scrimmage yards mark his second season surpassing 2,000 yards. The running back is a finalist for the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards.
On Sunday, his team will battle the Kansas City Chiefs for the right to be called Super Bowl champions.
More must-reads: