CHARLOTTE – Since the start of his rookie year, running back Christian McCaffrey has quietly found a way to show his appreciation for the military.
With the help of the USO, McCaffrey personally donates four tickets to randomly selected service members for each home game. He also awarded Super Bowl tickets to a pair of veterans last season.
"I would like to do a lot more," McCaffrey said. "This is just a very, very small thing I can do to give back."
McCaffrey's appreciation for the troops has been there as long as he can remember.
"I've just always had a huge respect for the military," McCaffrey said. "I have a little bit of a military background on my dad's side, so growing up it's just some of the values my parents instilled in me at a young age.
"Without the men and women who fight for our country, I wouldn't be able to play the game that I love so much."
McCaffrey is determined to further show his appreciation in the coming years. He's in the early phase of discussions about some exciting projects to serve those who served for us.
"We've talked about different ideas," McCaffrey said. "I want to get involved on the medical side of it for troops that come home and make sure their healthcare is top of the line. I get treated every day, and those guys deserve the same kind of care when they get back. They deserve a good life when they come back. I'd love to get involved with that in the future."
