Carolina Panthers Star Christian McCaffrey Is Dating a Former Miss Universe
Updated Sept. 20 2020, 12:03 p.m. ET
At 24, Carolina Panthers player Christian McCaffrey may still be relatively young, but he's proven to be among the best running backs in the NFL. The 2019 season marked his second consecutive season with at least 1,000 rushing yards and at least 100 receptions — making Christian the first NFL player to do so more than once.
With this level of early success, professional football fans are naturally curious about all things related to the NFL star. But who is Christian McCaffrey dating?
Who is Christian McCaffrey dating? Meet Olivia Culpo.
Christian McCaffrey is currently dating former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, 28. Although it's not clear when, exactly, the pair initiated their romantic relationship, we do know that they started following each other via Instagram in April 2019. Christian and Olivia were then spotted holding hands a few months later — in July 2019 — while vacationing together in Mexico.
Not long afterward, Christian and Olivia began popping up in each others' Instagram grids and Instagram Stories. “We have so much in common,” Olivia told People in December 2019. “It’s really easy for us, so I’m grateful.”
These days, there's no shortage of mushy social media shoutouts. For Valentine's Day 2020, Christian shared a couple of photos of himself and Olivia alongside a short message. "Never a dull moment with you. Happy Valentine’s Day," he wrote on Instagram, adding a heart emoji for good measure.
Meanwhile, the Sports Illustrated cover girl shared her own message for Christian on Feb. 14. "Happy Valentine’s Day to my best friend. Thank you for changing my life and showing me the kind of love I always wanted but never thought was possible," she wrote on Instagram. "You are the definition of an answered prayer. I am the luckiest girl in the world."
In May 2020, Christian wrote a sweet birthday shoutout to his leading lady. "Happy birthday to the Queen and my best friend!" he captioned an Instagram post featuring Olivia preparing to give him a smooch. "Nothin better than being loved by you."
The very next month, Olivia returned the favor by wishing her man a happy 24th birthday. Her post showed the couple posing together next to a large, colorful unicorn cake. "Happy birthday to my best friend in the whole world. Unicorns really do exist 🦄 I love you baby ❤️," she wrote at the time.
Who else has Olivia Culpo dated?
Christian isn't the first celebrity — or even the first professional athlete — that Olivia has dated. Before the Carolina Panthers star, the model/influencer was romantically linked to Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola. And before that, Olivia dated Nick Jonas, whose song "Jealous" was inspired by their two-year relationship.
Furthermore, Olivia and Tim Tebow were reportedly dating for a short period of time back in 2015 — and she had a thing with Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte in 2012.
Clearly, Olivia has a thing for professional athletes — except this time around with Christian McCaffrey seems different. Their relationship, as she's hinted, seems easy and fun. And if you ask us, their mushy Instagram posts are definitely #RelationshipGoals.
