Panthers' Christian McCaffrey surprises kids with shopping spree

Before taking the field, Christian McCaffrey is taking the time to give back.

The Panthers running back hosted a surprise shopping spree Friday for young athletes in Charlotte, N.C., as part of Dick’s Sporting Goods’ “Celebrate Youth Sports Weekend."

McCaffrey helped 15 lucky kids pick out some new gear after they were each given a $150 gift card to spend on anything in the store.

“I think doing stuff like this is really the important thing to do,” McCaffrey told the Charlotte Observer. “It is an issue, (that) not enough kids can play sports just because of a budget issue. To me, that hurts because it is so important for kids all around the world to be involved in some sort of athletic activity growing up, just because of the life lessons it teaches.

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“All of the different things (being involved in youth sports) did for me, I know I’d be excited if I could find out I could help somebody do the same thing.”

McCaffrey, selected by Carolina out of Stanford with the eighth overall pick in this year's draft, will report to the Panthers' first training camp practice July 26.