San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has plenty of reasons to be proud of his achievements over the course of 2025.
For starters, amassing a combined 2,126 yards on the ground and through the air on a league-high 413 touches should easily guarantee him the Comeback Player of the Year award after missing most of the previous season, and it's not a stretch to see McCaffrey as the Offensive Player of the Year again either.
Yet those awards are in recognition of his on-field efforts. What CMC does off of it doesn't always get the same attention.
Until now, of course.
Christian McCaffrey receives NFL's annual USAA Salute to Service award honors
Recently, McCaffrey was named as a finalist for USAA's Salute to Service award, following the previous year's recipient, the Niners' own, tight end George Kittle.
Perhaps Kittle's presence on the panel of judges for 2025 helped, but McCaffrey was just named this year's recipient of the coveted honor.
From the PR release shared with Niner Noise:
“Christian McCaffrey’s excellence on the field is undeniable, but more admirable is his consistency in showing honor through action by celebrating and supporting service members, veterans and their families far beyond the football field,” said Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA. “On behalf of USAA, we’re excited to join military families and football fans in the Bay Area and across the world in congratulating Christian on receiving the 15th Annual Salute to Service Award and thanking all of our Salute to Service Award nominees for continuing to raise the standard for military appreciation efforts each year.”
The 49ers running back exemplifies what it means to honor, empower, and connect with the military community. His connection is personal and rooted in a deep respect for service while using mental and physical health as a catalyst for change. McCaffrey’s mission is rooted in determination, discipline, and a strong focus on the well‑being of others. This mission guides his approach to supporting service members and reflects the dedication he brings to his craft on the field. McCaffrey’s belief in championing whole‑person health has shaped his drive to create meaningful change for those who sacrifice for others.
Through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, he has consistently honored and uplifted active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The foundation’s flagship initiative, 23 and Troops, launched in 2021, offers a medically based, holistic approach to support Special Operations forces veterans healing from post‑traumatic stress. Guided by McCaffrey’s belief that veterans deserve the same high-quality care provided to elite athletes, the program has contributed nearly $700,000 to military support efforts, including $250,000 to REBOOT Recovery and a recent $250,000 partnership with Resilience Code to provide veterans with a full year of personalized medical care. The foundation has also eased seasonal burdens by covering holiday layaway balances for 515 military families.
In addition to his community impact, McCaffrey remains an active participant in Salute to Service by regularly connecting with active-duty personnel, veterans, and families. He has also highlighted 23 and Troops through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, using his platform to further support the military community. His engagement and leadership prove a sustained, heartfelt commitment to those who serve our country.
#ad Gotta give a big Bay Area shoutout to Rich R., who served 24 years as an Army Infantry Officer and 17 years as a teacher in our local public schools. I’m proud to help honor him and his service with tickets to #SBLX thanks to @USAA and @The_USO #SalutetoService🙏 pic.twitter.com/Z3HPQ4uxAp
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) February 2, 2026
As part of the leadup to Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium, McCaffrey also gifted big-game tickets to die-hard Niners fan Rich Ritchie, a military veteran who continued his public service as a teacher.
"Rich Ritchie represents everything good about our fans, dedicating 24 years to serving our country as an Army Infantry Officer, then nearly two more decades serving his community as a teacher," McCaffrey said. "That kind of leadership and selflessness doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off and it’s an honor to partner with USAA and USO to recognize a true hero like Rich."
While Kittle took home the USAA hardware a year ago for his own work in the military community, McCaffrey's exemplary giving-back service deserves its own recognition, too.
"I’m incredibly honored to receive the Salute to Service Award and to be recognized alongside so many across the league who are committed to supporting our military community," the running back added. "This honor means a lot because it reflects the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of the men and women who serve our country. Football has given me a platform, and I believe it comes with a responsibility to serve others the right way."
To find out more about USAA's Salute to Service award, click here.
And to learn more about the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, click here.