Kyle Shanahan name-drops Olivia Culpo to describe Christian McCaffrey's obsession with football
Christian McCaffrey is having the greatest time of his life. His San Francisco 49ers are half a year removed from their second Super Bowl appearance in five seasons, he is the cover man of Madden NFL 25, and he is now happily married to former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.
And speaking of Culpo, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan gave her a quick mention. Speaking on Wednesday about McCaffrey's dedication to football despite being slowed by a calf injury during preseason camp, Shanahan said:
“When you’re hurt, you’re hurt, you can’t go. But when you take every rep, every walk-through, everything you do, you’re just so deliberate and everything. When he’s probably walking down the aisle to get married, he’s probably thinking about his feet and how to do routes, no offense to Olivia. But he’s obsessed with it."
Christian McCaffrey's obsession paid off in 2023 as he was named Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also led the league in total yards from scrimmage (2,023) and was tied for total rushing and receiving touchdowns (21).
Christian McCaffrey reflects on wedding to Olivia Culpo
These days, Christian McCaffrey seldom thinks about married life with Olivia Culpo - understandable, given his renewed quest to give the 49ers their sixth Lombardi Trophy. But he was asked about it anyway when he and fullback Kyle Juszczyk visited KNBR late last month.
He said (Start at 2:57):
"It was amazing. It was such a fun time, such a great weekend. Anytime you can get your loved ones in one place to celebrate something good, it's special."
Juszczyk added (Start at 3:08):
"We had an absolute blast. I always say weddings (are) a reflection of the couple that's getting married, on just how fun they are. And I think it's a reflection on Christian and Olivia - just how much we love them and how awesome they are, to what an incrediblt time everybody had there."
Culpo last spoke about her wedding with Christian McCaffrey in late July, when she discussed her choice of gown - a long-sleeved, full-coverage Dolce & Gabbana piece - and the negative reactions that she and McCaffrey received over it:
“I wanted to feel like myself in every sense of the word. And I think that that's where my decision to be more pared down came in," Culpo said per People.
“I was definitely very surprised. I feel like I personally like to give people the benefit of the doubt. And unfortunately, I feel like the words I said were spun out of context to fit an agenda that I did not have."
That gown did have its fair share of defenders, most notably including NBC Today hosts Jenna Bush-Hager and Hoda Kotb.