Christian McCaffrey is so good that he has LeBron James’ attention.
McCaffrey created an NFL/ NBA crossover on Sunday by running for three touchdowns and catching another TD during San Francisco’s 35-16 home blowout of Arizona.
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“CMC you’re ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS,” James screamed on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My GOODNESS,” he added.
McCaffrey broke Jerry Rice’s franchise record by scoring a touchdown in his 13th consecutive game.
The running back had an opportunity to tie the team record with five TDs in a game but San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan went to Kyle Juszczyk and then Brock Purdy, who scored on a quarterback sneak.
“I had no idea until I just came in here that he had four touchdowns,” Shanahan said. “I never know that type of stuff. I was actually shocked. I feel kind of bad about it. I wish I had tried.”
James has now apparently become a 49ers fan because of McCaffrey’s incredible athleticism.
“I’m a LeBron James fan,” said McCaffrey, returning the admiration.
When it was mentioned that James tweeted about the star running back during San Francisco’s game, McCaffrey said he was aware of the post and wowed by the attention.
“I saw that,” McCaffrey said. “That was really cool.”
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Is James a secret 49er admirer?
“I didn’t know he watches Niner football but got to get him to a game,” McCaffrey said.
James has a football past stretching back to his high school days and considered switching to the NFL during the 2011 NBA lockout.
The basketball king used to be a well-known Dallas Cowboys fan, but he’s recently been critical of the organization.
While San Francisco is 4-0 and an early Super Bowl favourite in the NFC, McCaffrey is playing like a league MVP.
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The seventh-year back has 459 rushing yards and six TDs, in addition to 18 receptions for 141 receiving yards and a TD.
During an era when running backs have been devalued, McCaffrey has become a do-everything offensive weapon for the 49ers and a fantasy football must have.
Even James has taken notice of McCaffrey’s dominance on the ground.
“Oh, my gosh. It was amazing,” said San Francisco tackle Trent Williams, referring to an 18-yard TD run by his powerful teammate. “I was literally right there. I couldn’t believe that he stayed on his feet, got in the end zone. I was like, ‘You’re a bad boy.’ ”
After spending his initial six pro seasons with Carolina, McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco in 2022 for multiple draft picks.
Injuries have at times limited McCaffrey, but he still has rushed for 5,079 yards and collected 3,826 receiving yards in 78 pro games.
The two-time Pro Bowler has 67 career touchdowns and has proven why he was the No. 8 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Leading the undefeated 49ers this year, the NFL’s best running back has caught the attention of the biggest name in the NBA.