Shortly after Olivia Culpo gave birth to their daughter, Colette Annalise, Christian McCaffrey had to leave for the San Francisco 49ers training camp, leaving much of the newborn care to his wife. This demanding schedule has led McCaffrey to experience a sense of fatherhood guilt, as he spends time preparing for the football season while Culpo manages the bulk of parenting duties on her own.
In a recent interview with the NFL Network, McCaffrey acknowledged the challenges and expressed deep appreciation for Culpo’s efforts in managing the early days of parenthood solo.
“I feel guilty at times,” McCaffrey said. “I’m sleeping well in the hotel bedroom while she’s doing the dirty work. But I’m super thankful for her and she’s doing an incredible job.”
Support from Family Helps McCaffrey Focus on Football
McCaffrey highlighted the importance of his family’s support in allowing him to concentrate on his football career, especially during off-training times. Their assistance has been essential in enabling him to maintain focus on his athletic performance without neglecting his role as a father.
“I think you just change some of the stuff that you do when you’re not training. My wife and our families do such a great job in helping out when needed and allowing me to still train and keep football first.”
Early Infant Challenges Shared by Olivia Culpo’s Sister Sophia
Colette‘s difficulty with sleeping through the night has been a concern for the entire family, including Olivia’s sister, Sophia Culpo, who has also been involved in caring for the newborn. Speaking to PEOPLE, Sophia praised her niece while explaining the challenges related to the baby’s feeding schedule.
“Because she still needs to be eating in those increments, but she’s great,” Sophia said. “She’s just a great baby, and she’s so sweet, and I’m just so obsessed with her.”
Being Olivia Culpo’s first pregnancy made this a memorable experience for the former Miss Universe, who recently shared a touching time-lapse video on Instagram documenting her journey through pregnancy.
Christian McCaffrey Reflects on the Specialness of Fatherhood
Despite the difficulties and the time spent away from home, McCaffrey has described becoming a father as a uniquely special experience. His reflections reveal a thoughtful balance between his professional responsibilities and the new role he embraces within his family.
The support from Culpo and their extended family has played a crucial role in this adjustment period, making it possible for McCaffrey to pursue his NFL career while remaining connected to his daughter’s early growth and well-being.