The San Francisco 49ers haven’t even stepped on the field yet this week, but they’re already celebrating a significant win - and this one goes far beyond the scoreboard.
Running back Christian McCaffrey has been named the 2026 recipient of the Bart Starr Award, a prestigious honor that speaks volumes about who he is off the field as much as what he does on it. Unlike many awards that come from media panels or front offices, this one is driven by NFL players themselves - a true peer-to-peer recognition. That alone puts it in a special category.
Named after Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, the award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership - not just in uniform, but at home and in the community. It's a nod to the kind of impact that can’t be measured in yards or touchdowns, but in respect, integrity, and the example set for others.
McCaffrey will officially receive the award at the Super Bowl Breakfast on Saturday, February 7, where he’ll join an elite group of past winners who’ve left their mark on the league in more ways than one.
Now, if you’re wondering how this differs from the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award - where 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson is once again the team’s nominee - it comes down to focus and format. The Walter Payton award is the league’s flagship humanitarian honor, with one nominee from each team and a spotlight that shines on philanthropic efforts across the country.
The Bart Starr Award, on the other hand, is more about the locker room than the limelight. It’s less about public visibility and more about how a player is viewed within the league - by teammates, opponents, and peers. It's a reflection of day-to-day leadership, consistency of character, and the kind of presence that elevates everyone around him.
But let’s be clear - McCaffrey’s impact isn’t limited to the locker room. Through his Christian McCaffrey Foundation, he’s made a tangible difference in the lives of veterans, active-duty military, and frontline healthcare workers.
The foundation has also brought joy and distraction to young patients across the country by distributing gaming consoles to hospitals. It’s a wide-ranging effort that shows McCaffrey’s commitment to service goes well beyond the football field.
This marks the first time a 49ers player has taken home the Bart Starr Award since tight end Brent Jones in 1998. And there’s a poetic full-circle moment here: Jones, the only co-winner in the award’s history (he shared it with Eagles wide receiver Irving Fryar), will be the emcee at this year’s event, handing the honor to McCaffrey himself.
It’s a fitting connection between two eras of 49ers football - and a reminder that while stats and wins matter, the legacy a player leaves is often defined just as much by who they are when the cameras aren’t rolling. McCaffrey’s latest accolade is a testament to that.