Christian McCaffrey earned the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year honors after overcoming injuries that had plagued him throughout 2024. Playing for the San Francisco 49ers, McCaffrey rushed for 1,202 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, marking one of the strongest seasons in his professional career. His performance reflected a rigorous focus on detail, including an unusual habit of turning off his WiFi before going to sleep.
A Unique Nighttime Routine Examined
In a recent interview, sportscaster Kay Adams questioned McCaffrey about this nighttime habit, a rumor that originated from fellow 49ers player Fred Warner. Adams directly asked,
“Why do you turn your WiFi off before you go to sleep?”
which caught McCaffrey off guard. His immediate reaction was to jokingly call Warner a “snitch,” indicating how this detail had emerged within the locker room.
Despite the light-hearted tone, McCaffrey clarified that while he does not rigidly follow unproven routines, he embraces practices that might offer even a slight competitive edge. He acknowledged that many respected athletes have distinct approaches to their preparation.
McCaffrey’s Detail-Oriented Mindset
McCaffrey described himself as
“a psychopath in a lot of ways, very detail-oriented.”
He emphasized that if there’s any chance—even a minimal one—that a habit could improve his performance or recovery by 0.1%, he is willing to adopt it. On turning off WiFi at night, he stated,
“I don’t even know if it works, but I’ll try it. Someone said it will, it can’t hurt, so let me try.”
This mindset aligns with his intense focus on recovery, crucial for an athlete managing past injuries. Sleep quality is vital for healing, and any method that might improve rest holds appeal, even if the benefits are debated.
Theories Behind WiFi and Restorative Sleep
The practice of disabling WiFi at night is based on a theory that reducing electromagnetic radiation in the sleeping environment could enhance sleep quality. Although scientific consensus is not definitive, the idea resonates with athletes like McCaffrey who meticulously control their surroundings to optimize performance. For McCaffrey, attention to small details that support healing and recovery is part of a larger, disciplined approach to staying at peak form.
Implications and Questions for the Future
McCaffrey’s WiFi routine highlights his commitment to regaining and maintaining elite physical condition, underscoring how modern athletes experiment with unconventional methods for incremental gains. His strategy demonstrates how mental and environmental factors can be as influential as physical training in competitive sports.
Given the location of the 49ers’ facility near an electrical substation, it raises curiosity about whether McCaffrey has considered environmental factors beyond his WiFi practice. His approach reflects a broader trend among athletes willing to explore anything that might contribute to recovery and success, suggesting that future performance may continue to be shaped by similar detailed personal rituals.
Christian McCaffrey turns his Wi-Fi off before he sleeps?!
"I'm a psychopath in a lot of ways… I don't even know if it works, but I'll try it." 🤣@CMC_22 | @fred_warner | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/ELMyhGiV5D
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) February 5, 2026
Kay Adams: “Why do you turn your WiFi off before you go to sleep?”
Christian McCaffrey: “Who told you that?”
Kay: “Fred [Warner].”
Christian: “He’s a snitch. Fred’s a snitch!”
via: @UpAndAdamsShow | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/nX9MR1cCPM
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 5, 2026
