When it comes to Super Bowl Sunday, Ed McCaffrey couldn't be happier. As a former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, he feels an immense sense of pride and joy as his son, Christian McCaffrey, follows in his footsteps and excels as a star running back for the 49ers. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Ed expressed his excitement and support: 'It feels incredible. I'm just so happy for him… The fact that he’s in a Super Bowl is a pretty incredible feeling for us, and as a father, I love him. I support him.'
Ed McCaffrey, now 55 years old, made a conscious decision along with his wife Lisa to let their four sons choose the sports they wanted to pursue. Christian, now a 27-year-old NFL star, chose football at the ripe age of seven and has never looked back. According to his father, Christian fell in love with the game immediately and has dedicated a significant portion of his life to honing his skills. Ed reflects on his son's journey: 'Christian chose to play football, and he did it when he was seven years old — and he's never looked back. He fell in love with it, I think the first year he ever played. And he's committed a good portion of his life to playing the game.'
As the Super Bowl approaches, Ed McCaffrey believes that Christian is well-prepared for the monumental event. Years of dedication and hard work have led him to this moment. Ed emphasizes the importance of preparation in football: 'He's prepared his whole life to get ready to play this game. He knows it's very difficult. You get one chance to play the game, so there's no guarantee of whether you're going to win or lose. But you can at least determine how you prepare for this game. So he will be thoroughly prepared, win, lose, or draw.'
The significance of Christian's Super Bowl appearance extends beyond football for Ed. The fact that his son will be playing for the 49ers, the team Ed was fortunate to play for in 1994 when they won a Super Bowl, adds an extra layer of amazement. Additionally, Christian's coach, Kyle Shanahan, is the son of Mike Shanahan, who coached Ed during the 49ers' Super Bowl victory. Ed highlights these connections as something special: 'The fact that it's happening on the 49ers ... is pretty amazing. And the fact that he's playing for Kyle Shanahan, the son of Mike Shanahan, who was my coach when the 49ers won the Super Bowl, is pretty cool.'
When discussing Christian's success and talents on the football field, Ed attributes much of it to a combination of physical and mental skills driven by his son's passion for the game. He admires Christian's determination, discipline, and commitment to football, which shines through every aspect of his life. While Ed appreciates his son's exceptional abilities, he truly believes that it is his passion that propels him forward. Ed states, 'When you combine a physical skill set and a mental skill set with his emotion and love for the game, it allows you to do great things.'
As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, Ed McCaffrey and his family are finding ways to keep themselves occupied before heading to Las Vegas for the big game. Ed remembers feeling incredibly nervous in the past but has learned to let go and embrace the present moment. He recognizes that he cannot influence the outcome of the game and instead focuses on being there to love and support Christian, no matter what happens on the field. Reflecting on his role as a parent, Ed acknowledges the challenges but hopes he has made good decisions and emphasizes the importance of love, support, mentorship, and guidance.
When asked about the advice he would give Christian before the game, Ed's response is heartfelt and simple: ''My giving Christian advice about football ended a long time ago. So I would just say, 'I love you. Go get it.''
As the anticipation builds for this Super Bowl showdown, Ed McCaffrey eagerly awaits not only a thrilling football game but also the opportunity to witness his son's dream unfold on one of the biggest stages in sports. He remains a proud and supportive father, cherishing the journey both on and off the football field that has brought them to this moment.
