49ers DE Keion White Recovering After Post-Super Bowl Shooting Incident
Just hours after the lights dimmed on Super Bowl LX, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Keion White found himself in a far more harrowing situation. The 27-year-old lineman is recovering after being shot in the ankle early Monday morning in San Francisco’s Mission District. The injury, while serious, is non-life-threatening, and White has already undergone successful surgery at a local hospital.
The 49ers confirmed the incident in a statement Monday afternoon, noting that White was the victim of a shooting and is currently under medical care. The team has not yet provided a timeline for his recovery but emphasized that further updates would come as appropriate.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 4:06 a.m. PT at a business on the 1700 block of Mission Street.
When they arrived, they found White with a gunshot wound to his ankle. Emergency aid was administered at the scene before White was transported to the hospital.
Initial findings from the SFPD indicate that a verbal altercation between two groups escalated inside the establishment before shots were fired by an unidentified suspect. No arrests have been made at this time, and the department’s Strategic Investigations Unit is leading the case. SFPD Director of Strategic Communications Evan Sernoffsky stated that officers are pursuing multiple leads.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the incident publicly, offering his support for White and reaffirming the city’s commitment to safety.
“Any violent incident in our city is unacceptable, and I’m hoping Keion recovers quickly,” Lurie wrote on social media. “I’ve spoken with SFPD and 49ers leadership-we are all grateful to our SFPD officers for their quick response.”
White joined the 49ers midway through the 2025 season in a trade with the New England Patriots, bringing a mix of size, athleticism, and versatility to a defensive line that had been stretched thin due to injuries. A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, White played in 11 games for San Francisco, including both NFC playoff contests, and recorded 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks in nine regular-season appearances with the team.
While not a headline name, White’s presence down the stretch was valuable. He provided depth and rotational impact in a front seven that prides itself on relentless pressure and physicality. His ability to step in and contribute when called upon helped stabilize a defense that was dealing with attrition at key spots.
This incident marks the second time in less than two years that a 49ers player has been shot in San Francisco. In August 2024, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was wounded during an attempted robbery in Union Square. Pearsall made a full recovery and returned to action later that season-a reminder of the resilience these athletes often display off the field as well as on it.
At this point, the team and city are focused on White’s recovery, while police continue their investigation. Anyone with information related to the shooting is encouraged to contact the San Francisco Police Department at 415-575-4444 or to submit anonymous tips via text by messaging TIP411 and beginning the message with “SFPD.”
For now, the hope is that White makes a full and speedy recovery-and that he’s back on the field doing what he does best when the time is right.