San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has taken responsibility for a car accident that occurred on July 14, revealing he briefly took his eyes off the road to locate his phone, which had fallen between the seats. The collision resulted in severe injuries for Shanahan, including a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken hand, and over 40 stitches to his face. The other driver, a 21-year-old woman, was uninjured, and no citations were issued.
Shanahan initially faced scrutiny after reports suggested he was holding and using a cellphone at the time of the crash. However, he clarified that while he was holding the phone, he was not actively using it. The California Highway Patrol database initially contained a clerical error attributing the accident to the other driver, but Shanahan confirmed his responsibility.
The accident was not publicly disclosed until the 49ers opened training camp, prompting questions about the delay in reporting. ESPN faced speculation for not reporting the incident until the team released a statement, though the network holds a 10% equity stake in the NFL.
Shanahan's injuries have limited his participation in training camp, with assistant coaches assuming his duties. Players, including quarterback Brock Purdy, expressed concern and support for Shanahan, who has since returned to the team facility but remains in recovery. The 49ers are preparing for their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on September 10.