Matt Johnson
The San Francisco 49ers have for years seemed to be snake-bitten by injuries, always losing many of their top players and reserves to soft-tissue injuries and other issues. That sparked a conspiracy theory regarding a nearby electrical substation and resulted in an investigation by the team.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, 49ers general manager John Lynch said the franchise paid for an independent investigation into the conspiracy theory. The process involved hiring a scientist with “over 45 years of experience studying electromagnetic fields and their effects” to determine if there was any merit to the theory.
“”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.”
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch on the substation conspiracy theory (via ESPN)
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The team allowed the scientist, whose identity was not disclosed, to go through the entire facility using “lab-grade equipment” to get electromagnetic output readings around any area players occupied.
What the scientist’s readings determined was that the levels were 400 times below the threshold of what is considered to be an “unsafe working environment” for a person. Furthermore, it was determined that the exposure levels at the team’s headquarters were “typical” for what you’d find at a workplace or gym. In fact, per the investigation, players could get a higher exposure level from a microwave oven or vacuum cleaner at home.
Fans and online skeptics weren’t the only ones questioning the team over the potential risks of being so close to the Silicon Valley Power Mission Substation. All-Pro tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, along with their partners, heard about the conspiracy theory and questioned the team about the potential risks.
With that theory ruled out scientifically, the potential cause of the higher rate of injuries for the team seems more likely to be the number of playoff games they’ve competed in under Kyle Shanahan and the practice style they have. The 49ers will continue to try and explore ways to preserve the health of their players, but it’s safe to assume there’ll still be jokes and maybe more steadfast believers in the substation conspiracy the moment another star player is hurt.
