Opinion
Christian McCaffrey, otherwise known as CMC, caught my attention on NFL highlights for the San Francisco 49ers and I thought ‘this guy has got something’.
Further viewing and research confirmed to me he is the best attacking weapon in the NFL, if not the footballing world. Big statement?
Maybe, but I have not been this excited about a football player since watching Jonah Lomu or another Christian, Cullen that is, show the speed, elusiveness and magic to quicken the pulse of football fans.
When CMC gets the ball, you know something is going to happen, you move forward in your seat, focus on him and what he may do. He is just a pleasure to watch and is a unique NFL player.
I am a rugby fan and equate him to how Cullen could find openings and slip through them without a hand being laid upon him. As with Cullen he is not a big man and does not rely on power to force his way through, more like a disappearing act, let him go and with his speed he is gone.
CMC was an exceptional sprinter at Stanford University and held a personal best time of 10.75 seconds in the 100 metre dash.
On the football field he holds himself running as the sprinter he was with a classic sprinting style. Amongst his armoury are a strong fend, stutter steps to confuse defenders and a traditional sidestep more often seen on the rugby field.
I am not an NFL expert and often wondered why players head for the sideline when in possession unlike rugby where you try and avoid the touchline, CMC appears to do the opposite and look inwards to find further beelines to the touchdown.
Lowell Cohn said that McCaffrey “finds open routes in amongst the chaos.”
After CMC was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022 they have gone 11-1 and he could be the key to the 49ers winning the 2023 Super Bowl.
He has many strings to his bow offensively and has even included throwing touchdown passes in complicated moves.
A common sight is McCaffrey breaking free through the middle, “right up the gut” and rarely getting caught from behind. An All Black once said when asked what their tactics were, he replied, “win the ball and get it out to Jonah!” The same could apply to CMC.
Christian McCaffrey (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Christian Jackson McCaffrey was born 1996 in Castle Rock Colorado and comes from a notable sporting family. His father Ed was an NFL wide receiver and mother Lisa a former Stanford soccer star.
Christian played college football at Stanford and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2017 NFL draft, making his debut against the 49ers.
In 2019 he set a Panthers record for longest touchdown with an 84-yard run and accounted for 43% of his team’s offensive yards during the season, the largest percentage in the NFL.
After he was traded the ”magic man” made his 49ers debut versus the Kansas City Chiefs and continued to set numerous NFL records. The unique 1.80 m, 93 kg running back has shown what a weapon he can be and the different ways he can be deployed.
CMC has built a healthy income from his career, is dating former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, owns a beautiful home and is therefore suffering terribly! He makes his mental escape from the stresses of football by enjoying and playing music and travel.
Christian McCaffrey is one of the most exciting players I have seen in all football codes, who may take the 49ers to NFL glory this year. The lethal combination of speed, footwork, athleticism and hard work make him a unique player who has overcome injuries and found a home at the 49ers.
And yes, he is, in my opinion, the greatest attacking weapon in football!
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