With The First Pick
Fansided

Christian McCaffrey has a Big Chip on his Shoulder

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) stiff arms Southern California Trojans cornerback Iman Marshall (8) on a kickoff return during the first quarter in the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi
Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) stiff arms Southern California Trojans cornerback Iman Marshall (8) on a kickoff return during the first quarter in the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi /
facebooktwitterreddit

Stanford Cardinal running back/return specialist Christian McCaffrey has a big chip on his shoulder. That’s because he believes his race plays a role in the way he’s perceived as an athlete. The 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate recently told Sports Illustrated that his athleticism isn’t fully appreciated because he is white.

You’d think all that stuff would have come to an end by now with blacks excelling at quarterback. But this one is in reverse, discriminating against whites playing positions like receiver and running back. McCaffrey sat down with Sports Illustrated and voiced his thoughts on it.

“When you read about white athletes these days and white skill possession receivers specifically, one word you’ll always find is tough. You’ll rarely see explosive, athletic, stuff like that. … You get a little bit upset: ‘I ran the same 40 as this guy, and you’re calling him.’ People do the eye test and underestimate me, so I do play with a chip on my shoulder.”

McCaffrey broke the NCAA record for all-purpose yardage in a single season last year, as he had 3,864 yards. The record was held by Oklahoma State and Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders, with 3,250 yards. And McCaffrey was a Heisman Trophy finalist for his efforts last season.

He may have a point about the perception that other white football players may have had. But when it comes to him, he couldn’t be any more off base. Anyone with two good eyes can see how quick, explosive and fast McCaffrey is, which is why he was able to make so many big plays.

Thos big plays led to him being one of only two running backs at the FBS level to rush for more than 2,000 yards (2,019), along with Alabama’s Derrick Henry (2,219). And he was deservedly celebrated for it, drawing comparisons to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, who’s very elusive, explosive, and fast.

Still, McCaffrey doesn’t feel he gets his due as an athlete.

What more does he want?

Next year this time the chip on his shoulder will be over his athleticism getting all the attention and how his toughness is underestimated. McCaffrey is just one of those guys that will always find something to have a chip on his shoulder over.

That means the FBS better watch out this year!

Home/NFL Draft News