Christian McCaffrey was born into an athletic family that has even made a mark in the Land Down Under.
With the San Francisco 49ers in Australia for their Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams, the National Basketball League revisited the time when McCaffrey’s uncle, Billy McCaffrey, played a couple of seasons in the league in the 1990s.
With the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne for their upcoming NFL game, superstar RB Christian McCaffrey has a special Aussie connection 👀
— NBL (@NBL) September 8, 2026
His uncle Billy McCaffrey played two seasons in the NBL for the South East Melbourne Magic, including their 1996 championship-winning team… pic.twitter.com/w1euCpy34m
Billy is the younger brother of Christian’s father, Ed McCaffrey, who won three Super Bowl titles during an NFL career that began in 1993 and lasted through the 2000 campaign.
Billy’s NBL career wasn’t too shabby either. In 40 games played for the South East Melbourne, he averaged 16.3 points, 4.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds and won an NBL title in 1996. He also won an NCAA title with the Duke Blue Devils in 1991.
Christian, meanwhile, would love to add to the McCaffreys’ collection of championship trophies and have a championship ring to show when the family gets together. This could be the season he finally gets to win a Vince Lombardi Trophy, as the 49ers have a solid roster and great coaching.
The Niners play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne to kick off the 2026 NFL season.
