Summary: The 49ers' injury crisis has gone from internet theory to national conversation. Measurements show electromagnetic field levels of 8.5+ milligauss at their practice facility—well above typical exposure. Players have confirmed it's been discussed internally for years. Scientists are divided, but Dr. David Carpenter says there's "sufficient evidence to give credibility." The NFLPA calls it a "potential workplace safety issue." And this Super Bowl week, both championship teams are practicing miles away from the 49ers facility.

As Super Bowl LX approaches Levi's Stadium, the conversation around the San Francisco 49ers' decade-long injury crisis has evolved from locker room whispers to a national debate. What started as a viral social media post in early January has forced players, management, and the NFL Players Association to confront an uncomfortable question: could the electromagnetic environment surrounding the 49ers' practice facility be affecting player health?

With both the Patriots and Seahawks preparing for Sunday's championship game—notably practicing miles away from the 49ers facility—the theory has never been more visible.

The Measurements That Started It All

Peter Cowan measured 8.5+ milligauss at the field's edge and potentially 10-25 mG inside facilities—significantly higher than the 0.5-3 mG typical background exposure. His post reached over 22 million views.

Estimated Electromagnetic Fields: Levi’s Complex vs Typical Background

Bars:

Typical home/office ≈ 2.0 mG

49ers practice edge ≈ 8.5 mG

49ers buildings (est.) ≈ 17.0 mG

Figure 1. Estimated extremely low‑frequency (ELF) magnetic field levels at the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium practice complex versus typical home or office backgrounds, suggesting chronic exposure at several times higher than normal ambient levels.

The Silicon Valley Power Mission Substation generates extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the 50/60 Hz range. The question isn't whether EMF exists—it's whether constant exposure to these complex electromagnetic environments forces the body to spend more energy on compensation, leaving less capacity for recovery.

Players Break Their Silence

What makes this story different is that it's coming from inside the building. Kyle Juszczyk, the 49ers' Harvard-educated fullback, confirmed: "It's definitely been a talking point for years," he told Front Office Sports. "I mean, is it a coincidence that we've led the NFL in injuries for the last, like, decade?"

Elevated 49ers Achilles & Patellar Tendon Ruptures per Season (2014–2024)

Bars: 

49ers (Levi’s era) ≈ 0.75 tears/season

Average NFL team ≈ 0.08 tears/season

Figure 2. Rate of Achilles and patellar tendon ruptures for the San Francisco 49ers since moving to Levi’s Stadium compared with an average NFL franchise, illustrating an apparent cluster of severe tendon failures.

Christian McCaffrey didn't dismiss it either: "When it comes to EMFs and 5G and phones and blue light and WI-FI, it's not nothing," McCaffrey said. Reports confirmed McCaffrey and his trainer consulted with neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Kruseabout the substation last year.

Former 49ers tight end Delanie Walker revealed: "That's been an issue since I've been there. It was said that it was giving people cancer," recalling a transformer explosion during practice.

The Science Isn't Settled

Dr. David O. Carpenter, who has spent four decades studying environmental disease causes, strongly disagrees with dismissals. "My conclusion is that there's sufficient evidence to give credibility to this hypothesis," Carpenter told the Chronicle. His research shows industry-funded EMF studies consistently show no harm, while independent studies consistently show elevated risk.

Even Dr. Nirav Pandya, a UCSF sports medicine specialist, remains open: "Never going to say 100% no with anything."

Research has shown ELF-EMF exposure can affect collagen synthesis, calcium channel activation, and oxidative stress pathways—all factors that could impact tissue resilience in elite athletes.

The 49ers and NFL Respond

General Manager John Lynch has committed to investigating. "Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything," Lynch said. The NFL Players Association considers EMFs a "potential workplace safety issue" for all team employees.

The Super Bowl Week Question

Both the Patriots and Seahawks are practicing miles away from the 49ers facility this week—Patriots at Stanford, Seahawks at San Jose State. While the NFL maintains these locations were scheduled well in advance (mirroring Super Bowl 50's setup), the optics are striking.

As NBC Sports' Mike Florio noted: "If any players believe there's something there, it's better to not practice there. Which, bigger picture, could become an issue when the 49ers are trying to lure free agents there in March."

Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins didn't dismiss the theory: "I feel like there's been a lot of studies on plants where you put an EMF next to a plant and it doesn't grow as well. But if that's affecting plants, what does that do to humans?"

What This Means

ResearchHub has pledged $100,000 toward EMF soft tissue research, signaling serious scientific interest. Whether the Mission Substation theory proves true or false, it's forced a mainstream conversation about whether the electromagnetic environment increases recovery costs over time.

For elite athletes operating at the threshold of performance, environmental clarity isn't optional—it's foundational. And the answer to this question matters for anyone who spends time near electrical infrastructure.

References

1. Cowan, P. (2026). Original viral post on 49ers substation theory. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DTeGik4gXR6/

2. Sports Illustrated. (2026). 49ers electrical substation conspiracy theory origins explained. https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/electrical-substation-conspiracy-theory-origins-explained

3. Sportskeeda. (2026). Christian McCaffrey on EMF injury theory: "It's not nothing". https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-it-s-nothing-christian-mccaffrey-hold-back-49ers-electrical-substation-conspiracy-theory-amid-growing-injury-rate

4. NBC Sports Bay Area. (2026). Kyle Juszczyk says electrical substation has been "talking point for years". https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/kyle-juszczyk-electrical-substation/1911254/

5. Yahoo Sports. (2026). Dismissing 49ers' EMF injury theory misses the point. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dismissing-49ers-emf-injury-theory-130000780.html

6. San Francisco Chronicle. (2026). 49ers power plant EMF theory - Dr. Carpenter weighs in. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/49ers-power-emf-21324650.php

7. KRON4. (2026). 49ers GM John Lynch addresses viral electrical substation theory. https://www.kron4.com/nfl/49ers/49ers-gm-john-lynch-addresses-viral-electrical-substation-theory-weve-been-reaching-out/

8. ESPN. (2026). Niners to look into "everything" including substation theory. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47685487/niners-look-everything-including-substation-theory

9. East Bay Times. (2026). NFLPA "monitoring" EMF research from 49ers. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/03/nflpa-49ers-power-plant-research/

10. NBC Sports. (2026). Avoidance of 49ers practice facility for Super Bowl LX. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/avoidance-of-49ers-practice-facility-for-super-bowl-lx-has-nothing-to-do-with-substation

11. Yahoo Sports. (2026). Why Patriots, Seahawks aren't using 49ers practice facility. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-patriots-seahawks-arent-using-101002414.html

12. The SportsRush. (2026). Mack Hollins questions EMF effects on humans. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/49ers-electric-substation-theory-mack-110031716.html

13. Sportskeeda. (2026). NFL analyst highlights Seahawks and Patriots training away from 49ers facility. https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-nfl-analyst-highlights-seahawks-patriots-training-away-49ers-practice-facility-super-bowl-lx-amid-electrical-substation-conspiracy

14. ResearchHub. (2026). $100k pledge to EMF soft tissue research. https://x.com/ResearchHub/status/2018536064311566372?s=20