The NFL has announced San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey as a 2025 nominee for the annual Salute to Service Award.
McCaffrey's unwavering dedication to uplifting the military community is rooted in a deep respect for commitment to service, and his approach to both military efforts and his own craft reflects a resilient, determined, and inspiring ethos—one that champions mental and physical health and serves as a catalyst for change.
Through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, founded on the principle of serving those who serve us for the benefit of many, McCaffrey has consistently honored and empowered servicemen and women who are frontline heroes in our community.
The foundation's primary initiative, 23 and Troops, launched in 2021 and guides their military appreciation efforts, providing a medically based, holistic health approach to help Special Operations forces veterans as they heal from PTS. McCaffrey believes "Whether it's mental health or physical health, I want veterans to be treated just like us athletes. As athletes, we get the top-of-the-line treatment all the time, and I want to bring some of those techniques into the military, so that during their service and after their service, they are taken care of."
To date, the program has committed nearly $700,000 towards military support including $250,000 to REBOOT Recovery, a nonprofit that provides mental health resources to veterans and families as they heal from trauma. Most recently, the foundation pledged $250,000 towards a medical partnership with Resilience Code, providing veterans with a year of personalized care and access to premium health services.
McCaffrey's foundation also covered the costs of holiday layaway balances for 515 military families to alleviate the stress of the holiday season. In addition to his personal efforts, McCaffrey is an enthusiastic participant in the team's Salute to Service programming, connecting with active duty, veterans and families of fallen heroes, and has featured 23 and Troops through the My Cause My Cleats initiative.
The Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni with demonstrable commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities, as nominated by NFL clubs.
The Faithful can vote for McCaffrey to earn the Salute to Service Award, which will help determine the award's three finalists. To submit your vote, visit nfl.com/causes/salute/nominees/2025/vote. One vote per day, per fan is permitted until Nov. 30. The finalists will be announced in January.
The award's panel members will select a finalist who will be recognized at the NFL Honors during the week of Super Bowl LX.
