The San Francisco 49ers are no strangers to injury discussions - it's a topic that’s hovered over the franchise like a stubborn cloud in recent seasons. But lately, the conversation has taken a left turn into unexpected territory: a nearby electrical substation.
Yes, you read that right.
During an appearance on You Better You Bet with Nick Kostos, 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne weighed in on the growing theory that the team's injury woes might somehow be tied to the substation located near their practice facility. While it sounds more like something out of a late-night Reddit thread than a legitimate medical concern, Bourne didn’t dismiss it outright.
“I kind of buy it,” Bourne said. “I’m a conspiracy theorist, so I don’t know.
Our grass is brown on that side and the soccer field on the other side is green. So that kind of trips me out a little bit.”
That detail - the difference in grass color - might seem minor, but for players who spend hours on that turf every week, it’s the kind of thing that sticks in your mind. Bourne admitted it’s not just about the aesthetics, either. He recalled moments during practice where the substation’s presence felt oddly… noticeable.
“I was looking at it one time at practice, and I just was like randomly kind of getting dozed off,” he said. “That thing is huge. Like, it’s carrying real power.”
He’s not alone in wondering if there’s something more to it. Bourne noted that reactions in the locker room vary.
Some players shrug it off, others talk about it more frequently. But Bourne?
He leans into it - half-jokingly, half-seriously.
“I’m just one of those trolls that like, ‘Man, nah, bro, something ain’t right.’”
Now, let’s be clear: the 49ers have been practicing at this location since 1988. This isn’t a new setup.
And football, by its very nature, is a brutal, high-contact sport. Injuries are part of the game.
Soft tissue strains, ligament tears, concussions - they don’t need a power grid to manifest. They happen because players are pushing their bodies to the limit every single day.
Still, perception matters. And when a team racks up injuries year after year, fans and players alike start looking for answers - even in unconventional places.
That’s where this substation theory has gained traction. It may not be grounded in science (at least not yet), but it’s out there, and it’s picking up steam.
General manager John Lynch, according to Bourne, is aware of the concerns and has committed to looking into it. That’s a smart move.
Whether or not there’s any real connection, showing the team is taking player concerns seriously is important. It’s not just about health - it’s about trust and transparency.
But here’s the bottom line: this isn’t just a medical issue anymore. It’s a public relations one.
The 49ers may need to get out in front of the narrative and communicate clearly - whether to debunk the theory or to show they’re doing their due diligence. Because when players start talking about zoning out at practice and pointing fingers at power lines, you can’t just brush it off.
And if the noise continues to grow? The organization might have to consider more drastic measures - even relocating the practice facility - just to put the speculation to rest.
For now, though, the substation stands, the grass remains two-toned, and the 49ers are left balancing science, superstition, and the very real toll of playing one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet.