Football
Add news
News

49ers’ Kyle Shanahan ‘extremely disappointed’ over Santa Clara County’s surprise ban

0 7
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan ‘extremely disappointed’ over Santa Clara County’s surprise ban

Nick Mullens, on the eve of a potential season-saving win over the Los Angeles Rams, learned through a friend’s text that Santa Clara County is essentially kicking the 49ers out of town to stem a COVID-19 surge.

Raheem Mostert’s eyes welled with tears after Sunday’s victory as he tried explaining the sacrifice he and other teammates have made to isolate themselves from their families — even before this upcoming month’s unknown journey out of Santa Clara.

Some learned through social media about the county’s ban on games and practices, and general manager John Lynch informed others once he grabbed the intercom on Saturday’s trip to Los Angeles.

Kyle Shanahan? He was irate. He is irate, even after the 49ers upset the Rams 23-20.

The 49ers coach is not so bent about the county’s decision and his team’s uncertain travel plans, but more so in how the 49ers learned of the county’s stealth directives. James Williams, Santa Clara County’s counsel, said Saturday they’ve kept in touch with affected parties, including sports teams.

Shanahan is “extremely disappointed” at the “very awkward spot” the 49ers found themselves upon Saturday’s surprising news that the county health officials delivered in a 1 p.m. press conference.

“It was a very disappointing thing we got yesterday,” Shanahan said to begin his rant. “Our organization has been working their tails off since training camp with the county, trying to do this above and beyond all the NFL protocols and (county) protocols, whether it’s masks, training or getting tested every single day.

“I don’t think you can do possibly more than anyone in this country, all NFL teams, not just us. We’ve been working with them as a partner trying to figure it out.”

The 49ers have not been perfect. They had a season-high nine players on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list last Monday because of positive tests or close contacts. Only four players remained on it by Sunday’s game.

“For us to head here yesterday and the relationship we have with (county health officials) and for all our players and coaches and everyone on that plane and our wives, to find that out while we were getting on a plane and no one to tell us, it was just extremely disappointing,” Shanahan said.

“We can handle anything and we understand how big of a deal this virus is,” Shanahan added. “That’s why we’re so committed and why we feel we’ve done it as good as we can, and not only protected ourselves but also really protected our community.”

Shanahan said he’s not sure where the 49ers will head, and while Arizona reportedly is a top option ahead of Dallas, the 49ers coach needs his team on a practice field somewhere by Thursday, to prepare for their Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills, somewhere.

Shanahan repeatedly expressed how proud he was of his team to set aside this distraction, and he repeatedly went in on the county’s poor communication with the 49ers.

“To find that out through a tweet or a press conference, where  I have an entire plane coming up to me, I have all wives, everyone’s girlfriends, everyone’s family members, kids,  what they’ve heard, ‘Are we going to be gone the entire month of December? Are we going to be quarantined when we got back?’ That’s all we could talk about for the last 18 hours,  because we got no answers from them.

“I was just very disappointed. And very proud of our guys, that I couldn’t give them the answers and they could put it to the side and come out and play like that. I’ve got so much appreciation for our team, and I’m very proud to be those guys’ coach.”

Jed York, the 49ers’ CEO, echoed that sentiment in a postgame tweet: “Our players have fought so hard and sacrificed a ton to play this season. Could not be more proud of them.”

Mostert said that despite the 49ers’ uncertain travel itinerary, he’s confident they can handle it, as many have over the past four months of exile from their families.

“I left my family at home to be part of something like this. I don’t take anything for granted,” said Mostert, whose wife is home with their two young sons in Cleveland. “It’s been a struggle not having my little family, sorry if I get emotional, but it’s really tough and I miss them so much. It’s a fight everyday. You’re fighting for your life. I want people to understand that.”

Mullens said the 49ers did discuss as a team this latest twist in a roller-coaster of a season.

“I found out when I had my friend text me. I didn’t know what he was talking about then he sent me a screen shot. We focused on job at hand and focus on what matters most. All we can do is follow the rules and perform. We’ll see what the future holds.

“It’s tough for us but more tough for the families.”

Загрузка...

Comments

Комментарии для сайта Cackle
Загрузка...

More news:

Read on Sportsweek.org:

Other sports

Sponsored