Christian McCaffrey on his health, what he learned on the sideline, and disappointing fantasy owners

Yahoo Sports’ Andy Behrens goes 1-on-1 with the Panthers All-Pro running back. McCaffrey discusses battling injuries last season, and what he gained during his time off the field. The likely number one overall pick in fantasy football reveals that most of his conversations with fans involve his contributions to their team. Christian joined Yahoo Sports thanks to Lowe’s. McCaffrey is part of the Lowe’s Home Team: players from around the league coming together to help unite fans in a time when we need it most. Every time the word ‘home’ is mentioned in a nationally televised Super Bowl commercial, Lowe’s will work with nonprofit Rebuilding Together to complete critical home repairs in up to 32 NFL markets.

Video transcript

ANDY BEHRENS: We are excited to welcome Carolina Panthers' all pro running back Christian McCaffrey. Consensus number one fantasy pick, I think, again in 2021. First thing first, how are you feeling? Are you are you healthy now? I know you dealt with shoulder and some leg injuries throughout the season.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY: Yeah. Yeah. Appreciate you asking. I'm healthy now. You know, it was obviously a frustrating year for me, but you know, one that I think I learned a lot from, got better. And you know, luckily, I didn't have any major surgeries or, you know, a whole lot of crazy structural damage. So for me, you know, back now and very hungry for next year.

ANDY BEHRENS: Is there anything beneficial about taking part of a season and just watching like from the sidelines or from a suite, or is it just all terrible to have to watch.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY: Oh, no. I mean, obviously, initially, you know, and in my case was frustrating because I felt like it was just one after another. And it can get exhausting. But you know, you have to quickly transform that mindset into, you know, making it something that you learn from.

And you know, while nothing's necessarily positive about not playing, you know, like I said, I learned so much about myself. I learned so much about football and the team in general, and got to take myself, you know, out of the field and look at all the dynamics and in game situations. See kind of how coaches react, what players respond best to. And I think, ultimately, that will help me as a leader, you know, on this team. And you know, I got to say, it was very encouraging watching, you know, all my teammates grow and continue to get better throughout the whole year.

ANDY BEHRENS: And I think what we're hearing is that you're the no question, no hesitation number one overall fantasy pick again. Don't even consider anyone else, right?

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY: You know, I don't know. You got to ask the fantasy owners. I don't play fantasy football. But I can tell you, just about every conversation I have with, you know, fans or people in public is about fantasy football. So I learn more about you know what people think of me every day just through fantasy football.

I don't even have to check. You know, I just go to the fantasy chat boards and I know what people think about me. And this year was not a great year for me in that aspect. But no, I-- you know, I think fantasy football is a great-- you know, a great way to add more fans and to keep people close to the game in a way that's never happened before.

ANDY BEHRENS: Tell us about the partnership with Lowe's and the Lowe's home team and the work that you've done with the Charlotte Veterans Bridge Home.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY: Yes. So I'm very honored to be a part of the Lowe's home team. Any time I get an opportunity to do something with the military, I jumped right to it.

So you know, one thing they did in Charlotte this year is transform the Charlotte Veterans Bridge Home and made it into kind of a lounge event center for veterans and for military families. And for me, I think that's an awesome thing to do. You know, I just announced my foundation Christian McCaffrey Foundation, and we're going to-- you know, it's very broad spectrum of working with military. So Lowe's, for me, is a brand that is right up that alley.

ANDY BEHRENS: Well, thanks so much for joining us. And thanks again to Lowe's and the Lowe's home team.