Christian McCaffrey has been honored with the prestigious 2026 Bart Starr Award, a recognition that celebrates exceptional character, integrity, and leadership both on and off the football field. This accolade, which is one of the few in the NFL voted on by current players, was bestowed upon McCaffrey by his fellow athletes, highlighting the respect he commands within the league.
The award ceremony is set to take place during the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast on Saturday, February 7, in San Francisco, coinciding with Super Bowl Weekend. This marks the 39th annual event officially sanctioned by the NFL, gathering fans, local business leaders, and football legends for a festive morning in anticipation of Super Bowl Sunday.
Since joining the San Francisco 49ers in a trade in 2022, McCaffrey has made a significant positive impact on the Bay Area community, reaching far beyond the gridiron. His philanthropic efforts through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation focus on various initiatives such as 23 and Troops, 22 and You, and The Logan Project. These programs aim to provide U.S. veterans and active-duty military personnel with athlete-level health resources, support frontline healthcare workers, and donate gaming consoles to hospitals nationwide for young patients in need.
"Receiving this award truly humbles me, and I see it as a great honor. I don’t take this lightly," McCaffrey stated, expressing his gratitude. "I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of an extraordinary team filled with talented individuals that I get to work alongside every day while pursuing my passion. It means a lot to be acknowledged by my peers across the league."
Corwin Anthony, the Executive Director of the Super Bowl Breakfast, commented on McCaffrey's selection, stating, "Christian McCaffrey has distinguished himself among his peers as someone who leads with both integrity and honor. His exemplary character shines through not just in his performance on the field but also in his contributions to his community, embodying the spirit of the late Bart Starr."
Drafted eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2017 NFL Draft, McCaffrey is renowned for his versatility as both a running back and a receiver. His accolades include four Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro designations from the Associated Press (three times as First Team and once as Second Team). Additionally, he was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
In the 2025 season, McCaffrey showcased his skills by rushing for 1,202 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns, while also making 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. He finished the regular season with the second-highest total yards from scrimmage and the third-most combined rushing and receiving touchdowns in the NFL. Earlier this season, he achieved a remarkable milestone by recording his 16th career game with both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown, surpassing Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for the most games of this kind in NFL history.
During the 49ers' latest Super Bowl appearance (LVIII), McCaffrey excelled by catching eight passes for 80 yards, making history as the first player to achieve both 75 or more rushing yards and 75 or more receiving yards in a single Super Bowl game. He is also one of only three NFL players to have amassed 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards within a single season, a remarkable feat he accomplished in 2019.
McCaffrey joins an impressive roster of past Bart Starr Award recipients, which includes notable figures such as Cameron Jordan, Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr., Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Demario Davis, Eli Manning, Calais Campbell, Benjamin Watson, Matthew Slater, Thomas Davis, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Jason Witten, London Fletcher, Kurt Warner, Warrick Dunn, LaDainian Tomlinson, John Lynch, Curtis Martin, Troy Vincent, Derrick Brooks, Trent Dilfer, Darren Woodson, Bruce Matthews, Aeneas Williams, Brent Jones, Darrell Green, Jackie Slater, Cris Carter, Warren Moon, Gill Byrd, Reggie White, Mike Singletary, Anthony Munoz, and Steve Largent.
The Super Bowl Breakfast will be hosted at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco from 8 to 10 a.m. (PST) and will feature appearances by Super Bowl champion coach Tony Dungy, Bryant Young, and other prominent NFL players, coaches, and alumni. The event will be emceed by Niners Hall of Fame tight end and former Bart Starr Award winner Brent Jones, who received the honor in 1998. Besides the award presentation, attendees can look forward to highlights from NFL Films and motivational messages.
The Super Bowl Breakfast is pleased to collaborate with TBC and PG&E as the presenting sponsors of this exciting event.
For further details about the Bart Starr Award, the Super Bowl Breakfast, and to purchase tickets, tables, or sponsorships, please visit SuperBowlBreakfast.com.
