49ers will examine substation EMF theory amid heavy injury toll

The San Francisco 49ers will investigate whether excessive exposure to electromotive force (EMF) from an electrical substation near their training facility and Levi's Stadium is contributing to the team's injury rate, Cbssports reported. General manager John Lynch said the team will look into the viral conspiracy theory and has been "reaching out to anyone and everyone to see, does a study exist other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means?

That's what we know exists," via ESPN. The substation, operated by Silicon Valley Power, expanded in 2014 with the opening of Levi's Stadium. Receiver Kendrick Bourne mentioned the theory after tight end George Kittle tore his right Achilles in the wild-card win over Philadelphia, and scientists and other medical professionals have debunked the claim, but Lynch said the team "aren't going to turn a blind eye." This season the 49ers dealt with significant injuries to several key players, including Kittle; Nick Bosa (torn ACL); Fred Warner (fractured and dislocated ankle); Brock Purdy (turf toe); and rookie Mykel Williams (torn ACL).

Despite those setbacks the team went 12-5 in the regular season while playing in the NFL's toughest division, and Lynch said the organization will review its entire process this offseason: "The fact of the matter is injuries are a part of this game. What we strive to do is never to eliminate injuries, but to mitigate injuries...

Key Topics

Sports, Electromotive Force, Electrical Substation, Levi's Stadium, John Lynch, Silicon Valley Power