49ers GM quells buzz around electrical substation theory

John Lynch says investigation found no issues with facility near Levi's Stadium

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:56pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a San Francisco 49ers football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of red and gold.A cubist interpretation of the 49ers' efforts to uncover the causes behind their recent spate of player injuries.Phoenix Today

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch addressed the theory that an electrical substation near Levi's Stadium could be causing a spate of player injuries, saying the team had a scientist investigate and found no issues with the facility.

Why it matters

The 49ers have dealt with a high number of player injuries in recent seasons, leading to speculation about potential environmental factors like the nearby electrical substation. Lynch's comments aim to put those concerns to rest and reassure players, staff, and fans about the safety of the team's facilities.

The details

Lynch said the 49ers had a scientist examine the facility and found that players and staff were being exposed to an electromagnetic environment similar to that of a normal gym or workplace. He described the substation theory as a 'big nothing burger' and said the team is confident the facility is a safe place to work.

  • The substation theory first emerged during the 2025 NFL season.
  • Lynch addressed the issue on Sunday, March 30, 2026, as NFL owners began meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

The players

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.

George Kittle

A star player for the San Francisco 49ers.

Brock Purdy

A player for the San Francisco 49ers who missed several games due to injury.

Ricky Pearsall

A player for the San Francisco 49ers who missed several games due to injury.

Mykel Williams

A player for the San Francisco 49ers who missed several games due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“It basically was a big nothing burger. We're in a safe place of work.... It's a normal place of work. It's a normal gym. We are safe, we're healthy, and we feel really good about that.”

— John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers General Manager

“I didn't believe the rumors were true, but also wanted a definitive answer.”

— George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers Player

What’s next

The 49ers will continue to investigate ways to reduce player injuries as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.

The takeaway

The 49ers have taken proactive steps to address concerns about their facilities and player safety, providing reassurance that the team's home and practice environments are not contributing to the high injury rates the team has experienced in recent years.