Christian McCaffrey is an exception in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers running back regularly scores touchdowns on the ground and often through the air. He wants to do this for many years to come.

Christian McCaffrey made a statement this summer by signing a new contract. Shortly before his 28th birthday, the star running back extended his contract with the San Francisco 49ers until 2027. When that season ends with Super Bowl LXI, he will be 30 years old.

But it will not be his last contract in the NFL. “CMC”, who married his partner Olivia Culpo a few weeks ago, made this clear in an interview with the portal ‘rg.org’, thus making a further statement ahead of his eighth season in the league.

When asked whether he could play until his mid-30s, McCaffrey replied: “Absolutely. I never set myself limits. I always look at how I feel and I feel fantastic. I feel great.”

He looks at running backs who are older than he is, already in their 30s. As examples, he cites Derrick Henry and Raheem Mostert, who are “Pro Bowlers and All-Pro caliber”. McCaffrey therefore states: “I absolutely think you can play as long as you want.”

The careers of running backs in particular are considered short-lived in the modern NFL because they have to throw themselves into the fray with the ball in their arms, take various hits and at the same time be quick on their feet and agile. Todd Gurley, a three-time Pro Bowler and the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year, lasted just six years in the league

McCaffrey on the secret of his success: basketball and running in his youth

But McCaffrey, by contrast, seems to get better with each year of experience. Last season, which ended in the Super Bowl for the first time for him, he set new personal bests with 1459 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry and 21 total touchdowns. The eighth pick of the 2017 draft scored seven and thus a third of his scores after catches.

This underlines the fact that McCaffrey is no ordinary running back. He is always involved in the passing game, so the defense can hardly adjust to what is coming their way, wherever the blonde is about to reappear.

McCaffrey also revealed where his flexibility comes from. He tried his hand at various sports in his youth. “If you want to be a good running back, learn how to play point guard,” he drew a comparison to basketball: ”If you want to get faster, go to the track. The fastest kids in school all ran and I wanted to be fast – so I went running too.”

But footballers could learn a lot more from basketball: how to cut, hand-eye coordination, the ability to jump, spatial awareness. The best athletes are those who can run, jump, stop and start like lightning: “Many of them played different sports when they were growing up. ”

McCaffrey with a tip for young people: “Play different sports ”

McCaffrey therefore emphasizes: “For young children: practice different sports – that’s my most important tip.” Nowadays, many boys and girls would commit to one sport at an early age: “You might be better at that age, but I don’t think it’s better in the long run.”

For himself, he says: “I think one of the best things I did was play basketball, run and play baseball when I was growing up.” Because that also trains the brain better.

But of course, this flexible training alone has not turned McCaffrey into an NFL star, who holds many a record and is sure to snatch a few more. “For me, it’s all about confidence,” he explains another secret to success: ”If you don’t have confidence in your training or confidence in your nutrition, it won’t work. If you have it, it will work.”

Opposing defenses will soon feel again how much McCaffrey trusts himself, his way and that of the 49ers. And they can expect to have to deal with him for quite some time to come.