By Robert Haugh

A few days ago, 49ers General Manager John Lynch stood before reporters at the annual NFL Owners meeting in Phoenix, AZ.  

He announced that the team had hired an independent scientist to investigate whether the Silicon Valley Power substation next to the team’s practice facility was responsible for the franchise’s epidemic of player injuries.

Lynch’s conclusion: “A big nothing burger.”

But Lynch declined to name the scientist. He declined to name the firm. He declined to share the report. He left the podium at a pace that suggested he had somewhere else to be.

The substation theory went viral earlier this year after a post on X claimed that electromagnetic fields from the Silicon Valley Power Mission Substation on Bill Walsh Way were weakening players’ connective tissue, causing injuries. 

Here are some of the 49ers stars who were injured a lot in the past few seasons: Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Fred Warner, and Brock Purdy. 

Santa Clara News Online spotted 49ers owner Jed York in the lobby of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, the site of the NFL Owners meeting.

He was signing the backs of fans’ jerseys. But the fans had not asked him to. He was just doing it. SCNO witnessed a 10-year-old boy cry out for his mother after York signed his back unexpectedly. 

York was also wearing a copper-mesh wristband. So, we asked about it.

“It’s just a precaution,” York said, then caught himself. “I mean …it’s a nothing dog. Nothing … um, sandwich.  Or something like that.”

York frowned and slid the wristband under his sleeve.

 “Whatever Lynch was supposed to say. Nothing burger. It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

We asked who conducted the substation study.

York smiled. “Anthony,” he said.

York confirmed to SCNO that he was referring to convicted felon and former Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker. 

Becker was convicted in a unanimous jury verdict on felony perjury charges for leaking a confidential Grand Jury report to the 49ers and then lying about it.

According to York, Becker conducted the San Francisco 49ers’ independent electromagnetic field study.

He has no engineering credentials. No background in physics. No known expertise in electromagnetic radiation. 

“But he’s reliable,” York said. “You ask Anthony for something, and he delivers just what you want, how you want it. Always has. The dude was willing to serve time for us. Unbelievable.”

The original plan, York acknowledged, was to hire Becker as Sourdough Sam, the team mascot. York had promised as much in a letter to Judge Javier Alcala last year, asking for leniency at Becker’s sentencing.

But there was a problem.

“He couldn’t fit in the costume,” York said quietly. “He gained some weight during the trial. Understandable. Stressful time.” He paused. 

“And apparently he hasn’t heard about Ozempic.”

SCNO found Becker outside a Starbucks on Tuesday afternoon, sipping a grande latte with whipped cream.

“I prefer to think of it as Jed recognizing the totality of my service,” Becker said. “I was there for the team when it mattered. Multiple times. In ways I can’t fully discuss, as my attorney has advised.”

“It could lead to another felony, Becker said.  “Whoops. That was off the record.”

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen emailed a statement to SCNO after being informed of Becker’s consulting role.

“We worked hard to hold Mr. Becker accountable,” Rosen wrote. “The jury was unanimous. The evidence was overwhelming. The sentence was appropriate.”

“If Becker did the substation study,” Rosen added, “all I can say is the next time I step foot in Levi’s Stadium, I’m lining my cap with aluminum foil.”

Editor’s Note:  Happy April Fool’s Day.