In a league where players tend to keep their political leanings close to the vest, a new study has revealed something unexpected about the San Francisco 49ers - they currently have the highest number of registered Republican voters among all NFL teams.
That’s a surprising twist, especially considering the 49ers are based in San Francisco, one of the most famously liberal cities in the country. Since 1960, the city has voted Democratic in every U.S. presidential election. But when it comes to the political affiliations of the players themselves, the numbers tell a different story.
According to data compiled by VoteHub using public voter files, the 49ers show a partisan lean of +13.6 toward the Republican Party. That figure puts them at the top of the league in terms of Republican-leaning rosters.
One name that immediately stands out is Nick Bosa. The star defensive end has been open about his support for former President Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement. While Bosa has been vocal, most of his teammates - and most NFL players in general - tend to keep their political preferences out of the spotlight.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t just a 49ers phenomenon. The study also pointed out that the Green Bay Packers, for instance, have the strongest Democratic lean among NFL teams, coming in at +38.9. That kind of contrast highlights the diversity of political views across the league - even within locker rooms that share the same goal on the field.
Beyond the 49ers, a handful of players around the league have publicly backed Trump in recent years. That list includes Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Still, those endorsements remain the exception, not the rule.
Most NFL players, including high-profile stars like Patrick Mahomes, have opted to stay neutral in public, choosing instead to encourage civic engagement without aligning with any particular candidate. Mahomes, for example, urged fans to vote in the 2024 election but didn’t reveal his personal stance.
Political preferences aren’t just limited to players, either. Several NFL owners have also made their support for Trump known through political donations. That list includes Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Jets owner Woody Johnson, the Glazer family (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and the McNair family (Houston Texans).
In a sport that thrives on unity and team-first mentalities, the locker room remains one of the few places where differing viewpoints can coexist without dominating the narrative. And while this study offers a rare glimpse into the political affiliations of NFL players, it also reinforces something we already knew - that behind the helmets and game plans, NFL rosters are made up of individuals with a wide range of beliefs, backgrounds, and values.
For the 49ers, that diversity extends beyond the playbook.