WOFFORD, S.C. — At Carolina Panthers training camp this summer, a staffer made an offer to Christian McCaffrey. He would fill a non-traditional role, but one that was becoming increasingly necessary. He offered to say “no” to people on behalf of the star running back, because in a little more than a year with the organization, McCaffrey has seemingly never turned down a request.
After a practice, McCaffrey skims along the fence parallel to the field and signs autographs for fans. Next come the children of teammates, waddling up to the 22-year-old running back with Sharpie markers and footballs the size of their own torsos.