One of the NFL's most documented and consistent Christian witnesses — Bart Starr Award winner, Bible-verse sharer, and foundation founder serving veterans and children.
Christian McCaffrey was born July 7, 1996, in Castle Rock, Colorado, and raised in a devout Catholic household. He attended Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where faith was integrated into his development as both an athlete and a person. His Catholic faith has been a consistent and documented presence throughout his career at Stanford and across nine NFL seasons. At Super Bowl LVIII opening night (February 2024), McCaffrey told Sports Spectrum: "My faith in Christ means everything to me. My faith has gotten me where I am in life and through all the ups and downs when I rely on God. Anytime I'm having a tough day or having a bad time in my life, I just get back to getting into the Word — it's got all the answers."
In February 2026, McCaffrey was named the recipient of the Bart Starr Award — the NFL honor recognizing players who exemplify outstanding character and Christian leadership, voted on by NFL peers. Speaking at the Super Bowl Breakfast hosted by Athletes in Action, McCaffrey referenced Psalm 23:1 and spoke of a season derailed by injuries in 2024-25: "It was in those moments where God was the most evident. I found myself relying on many verses, one being Psalm 23: 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.' And that, to me, is something that I stuck with for that entire year. To stop wanting. To truly surrender." The Bart Starr Award is particularly meaningful because it reflects how teammates view a player's character — not just public statements. Quarterback Brock Purdy has publicly affirmed McCaffrey as a fellow believer: "To have guys that believe in the Lord and can help you and pour into you with their experiences… I found that huge."
McCaffrey regularly shares Bible verses on social media. His favorite verse is Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." His signature touchdown celebration — pointing to the sky — is his consistent public acknowledgment of God. He prays before and during games. He has told Insider: "My favorite chapters in the Bible are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, just because they're all a different perspective of Jesus' life." His wife, former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, has described their relationship as having a faith-based foundation: "The foundation of our relationship has always been God."
McCaffrey's faith is demonstrated through his foundation's work: the 23 and Troops initiative supports U.S. veterans, 22 and You supports frontline healthcare workers, and The Logan Project distributes gaming consoles to children in hospitals nationwide. Matthew 25:40's standard — "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" — is what McCaffrey embodies through his service.
Evaluating whether a celebrity is a Christian requires distinguishing between: cultural Christianity (grew up in church), nominal Christianity (identifies as Christian without active faith), and genuine Christianity (personal faith in Jesus Christ evidenced consistently over time). GodlyScore applies a consistent standard: documented public evidence. "The LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). Score: see full guide.
See our Christian Celebrities hub for other public figures assessed with the same standard. The Gospel Coalition provides additional cultural context.