Christian McCaffrey tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Olivia Culpo, over the summer, but according to San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, McCaffrey might have had something else on his mind during the big day.
McCaffrey has been sidelined for most of training camp with a minor calf injury, leaving fans and analysts curious about how someone as dedicated to his craft as McCaffrey could be preparing for the upcoming season without the usual practice reps. On Tuesday, Shanahan was asked how the star running back, known for his relentless commitment to perfecting his game, is managing to stay sharp without being on the field. Shanahan’s response was both a testament to McCaffrey’s work ethic and a lighthearted dig at the player’s intense focus.
Shanahan jokingly suggested that McCaffrey’s obsession with football might have even crept into his thoughts on his wedding day. “When you’re hurt, you’re hurt. You can’t go,” Shanahan explained to reporters. “But when you take every rep, every walkthrough, everything you do, and you’re just so deliberate in everything… when he’s walking down the aisle to get married, he’s probably thinking about his feet and how to do routes. No offense, Olivia, but he’s obsessed with it.”
Though Shanahan was clearly exaggerating for comedic effect, his comments highlight just how dedicated McCaffrey is to his craft. Even during one of the most important days of his personal life, the idea that football might still occupy a corner of his mind isn’t too far-fetched for those who know him.
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Of course, the wedding itself was far from a football strategy session. Former NFL tight end Greg Olsen, a close friend of McCaffrey’s, was in attendance, and by all accounts, the day was filled with celebration rather than X’s and O’s.
But Shanahan’s playful remark underscores a simple truth: McCaffrey’s commitment to being one of the best in the NFL is part of what makes him so exceptional.
It’s safe to say that Olivia Culpo is well aware of her husband’s passion for football. After all, you don’t reach the top tier of the NFL without being a bit of a fanatic about your work.
And if McCaffrey’s mind did wander to route-running techniques on his wedding day, it’s just another sign of the dedication that has made him one of the league’s premier playmakers.
