San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has joined the exclusive Madden 99 Club, making history as the first running back in franchise history to earn a 99 overall rating in the iconic video game series.
Madden 25 cover athlete Christian McCaffrey is the first running back in 49ers history to earn the @EAMaddenNFL 99 overall ranking. pic.twitter.com/MUQDgl4xGM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 30, 2024
Last month, EA Sports revealed McCaffrey as the cover athlete for the latest edition of Madden NFL 25. He is the first 49ers player to be featured on the worldwide cover and the first running back since Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson in 2014. Former 49ers running back Garrison Hearst was on the international edition in 1999.
"It's just extremely humbling," McCaffrey told USA Today in June. "It's a good thing for Niners fans and me and my family, but really just I feel so grateful to be a part of a great organization that's helped me have so much success and reach a milestone like this in my career."
McCaffrey is coming off a remarkable 2023 season performance that earned him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. He led the NFL with 2,023 scrimmage yards and accounted for 21 total touchdowns. His 1,459 rushing yards were a career-high and the most in the league.
McCaffrey becomes the fifth 49ers player in franchise history to join the Madden 99 Club, following in the footsteps of wide receiver Terrell Owens (Madden 2004), linebacker Patrick Willis (Madden 11), linebacker Ken Norton Jr. (Madden 99), and tackle Trent Williams (Madden 23).
Madden NFL 25 is scheduled for release on August 16.
