The stage is set for Super Bowl Sunday, and the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are the last two standing. After grinding out hard-fought wins in their respective conference championship games, both teams have officially punched their tickets to Levi's Stadium for the NFL’s biggest night on February 8.
But while the game will be played in the heart of 49ers territory, neither the Seahawks nor the Patriots will be calling the 49ers' practice facility home during Super Bowl week. Instead, both teams are carving out their own space in the Bay Area - and the choices are raising a few eyebrows around the league.
Seattle will set up shop at San Jose State, while New England will hold its practices at Stanford. That means the 49ers' state-of-the-art facility in Santa Clara, located just steps from Levi's Stadium, will remain quiet during the lead-up to the big game - a surprising twist, considering the proximity and convenience it offers.
The decision isn’t just about logistics. According to reports, this setup gives each team a dedicated space without overlap, allowing them to stay focused and avoid distractions. But there’s more to the story - and it has to do with some unusual concerns that have surfaced in recent months.
Rumblings around the league have pointed to the electrical substation located next to the 49ers' practice facility as a potential issue. In fact, it’s reportedly become a talking point within the 49ers' own locker room. Star running back Christian McCaffrey is said to be among the players who raised concerns about electromagnetic fields (EMF) from the substation and their possible health effects.
According to sources, McCaffrey and his trainer even reached out to Dr. Jack Kruse last year to discuss the potential risks. And he’s not the only one - other 49ers players have reportedly voiced similar worries.
49ers general manager John Lynch has acknowledged the situation, stating that the organization plans to look into the theory to ensure the health and safety of its players. Whether or not there’s a direct connection between the substation and the team’s recent run of injuries remains to be seen, but the fact that it’s on the radar at all is notable.
So while the Seahawks and Patriots gear up for a clash that could define legacies and shift narratives, they’ll do so away from the shadow of Levi’s Stadium - both literally and figuratively. And with the 49ers watching from the sidelines after a season that fell short of expectations, there’s a bit of irony in seeing their facility go unused during Super Bowl week.
It’s a reminder that in the NFL, even the smallest details - like where you practice - can carry weight. And sometimes, the stories off the field are just as intriguing as the ones on it.