49ers Star Fred Warner Dismisses Electrical Substation Injury Conspiracy Theory
San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner has firmly rejected a bizarre conspiracy theory circulating among fans, which suggests that an electrical substation located near the team's practice facility is responsible for their alarming rate of player injuries.
Warner's Season-Ending Injury and Team Crisis
Warner himself suffered a devastating ankle fracture during Week 6 of the 2025 campaign, an injury that prematurely ended his season. He is far from alone in experiencing serious physical setbacks, with key teammates including defensive end Nick Bosa, tight end George Kittle, and linebacker Mykel Williams also being hampered by injuries throughout the past season.
This troubling pattern extends beyond the current campaign, with a significant number of injuries also plaguing the squad during the previous year. The cumulative effect has left supporters searching for explanations behind what appears to be exceptionally bad luck for the franchise.
The Unusual Fan Theory Explained
One particularly popular and unusual theory posits that a nearby electrical substation is exposing players to excessive levels of electromotive force (EMF), which some believe is contributing to their physical problems. The substation, visible near the team's training complex, has become a focal point for speculation among concerned followers of the team.
Warner's Candid Rejection on Podcast
Appearing on the 'St. Brown Podcast' hosted by NFL brothers Equanimeous and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Warner directly addressed and dismissed the theory. "When you look at the actual data behind if that is real or not, I think it is false," the linebacker stated unequivocally.
He elaborated on his personal experience, firmly separating his injury from the speculated cause. "I'll be the first to tell you because I train year-round at our facility, I'm not going to sit here and say that a substation was the reason why I got my ankle broke in half. That was a fluke injury, right?"
Warner pointed to his own history of durability prior to the accident, noting, "But before that, I had missed one game. You know what I'm saying? I had one game missed on a fluke hammy that I had where I stepped wrong. I've been super healthy for seven plus years..."
Humorous Take and Future Investigation
Injecting some humour into the discussion, Warner quipped, "the substation may have gave me super powers. I don't know. You know what I'm saying? I guess if you just overdose on it, you get Hulk strength or something."
However, he acknowledged that the theory has gained significant traction. "But yeah, man, I think they're going to do a little bit more research behind all that this offseason because it did blow up, right? I think people were talking about it a lot. So we'll see what they say," Warner revealed, indicating the club may formally look into the claims due to their popularity.
Super Bowl Teams Opt for Alternative Facilities
Amidst this backdrop of speculation, neither of the teams competing in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara will be using the 49ers' practice fields. The New England Patriots have arranged to utilise the facilities at Stanford University in Palo Alto, while the Seattle Seahawks will conduct their preparations at San Jose State University, decisions made independently of the injury conspiracy theories.
