49ers WR Christian Kirk considering EMF protection options amid substation concerns

The San Francisco 49ers added wide receiver Christian Kirk this offseason, and at no point during free-agency negotiations did the electrical substation adjacent to the team's facility come up.

That doesn't mean the topic isn't on Kirk's radar now.

A circulating conspiracy theory has raised questions about a possible link between the nearby substation and the 49ers' recent injury history. The subject became a frequent talking point during player interviews in the week leading up to the Super Bowl.

Some of those players even publicly questioned the link, voicing their concerns and prompting the 49ers to conduct an internal review of the situation.

Kirk acknowledged he has discussed the potential effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with others and is considering taking precautions during his first season with the 49ers.

"There has been conversations—not with the organization," Kirk said on the In Good Company with Mitch Morse podcast. "However, I have had conversations with people that help me out, stay healthy, and perform at a high level. There are clothing that you can wear to protect you from EMF."

Kirk added, "So, will I be wearing that? Probably. Probably. Whatever I can get."

As for the team's findings, general manager John Lynch said the 49ers hired an independent scientist to evaluate any potential impact from the nearby electrical substation at their Santa Clara facility—and the results were reassuring.

"We did hire an independent scientist, and he basically [said] it was a big nothing burger. We're safe," Lynch said. "We're in a safe place of work. The levels are—I think I read in there—400 times less than unsafe zones, so it's a normal place of work, it's a normal gym. We are safe, we're healthy, and we feel really good about that."

Lynch added that the findings were definitive, noting that exposure levels at the facility are consistent with those found in typical workplace or commercial gym settings.

While the 49ers appear confident in their findings, Kirk doesn't seem willing to take any chances and plans to take precautions to protect himself.