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SAN FRANCISCO – Christian McCaffrey received the 2026 NFL 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 athlete-level care for veterans. The foundation has raised $700,000 for military support and paid vacation payments 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.
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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 it was from a very young age that my parents instilled in me respect for the military and what it means to live in this country. I always appreciated that, and growing up in that 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 that they did or saw. And it really made me appreciate it even more,” McCaffrey said.
“It’s a great honor,” he added. “You know, we make a living playing a child’s game, and we play in front of millions of people. And a lot of that is because of 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 a lot, and a lot of it is unseen. They don’t get credit for these things.”
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium. (David González/Imagn Images)
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Upon starting his foundation and conducting his research, McCaffrey was shocked to read that 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
“That’s why I’m doing this. I’m trying to reduce that number as much as possible,” he said.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also gave Super Bowl tickets to SJ Farin, a 14-year veteran and Purple Heart winner.
“This means the world to me,” Lamb told Pak Gazette Digital on Radio Row. I have an uncle who is also in the Air Force, it means everything. I know what it takes to have a family member who isn’t always around, but is definitely doing everything they can to make sure we are protected. So for me, it’s just about giving back.”
The award stays with the 49ers, as George Kittle received it last year.
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)
“Any time you’re around guys like George, who has the personality and the game and is a Hall of Fame player, but also loves to give back, it’s inspiring and makes you want to do the same thing,” McCaffrey said.
