How Chris Foerster Learned About 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan's Crash

A tough moment.

Jul 26, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers run game coordinator Chris Foerster talks to the press during Day 4 of training camp at SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Training camp is underway for the 2026 season, but it has a different start and tone for the San Francisco 49ers than in previous years.

That, of course, is due to Kyle Shanahan being involved in a crash two weeks ago, in which he suffered a concussion, a broken nose, injuries to both hands, multiple broken ribs and required 40 stitches to his face.

He's reportedly still battling the effects of the concussion, which clearly indicates he's not yet healthy or safe enough to return to work normally.

While the 49ers expect him to be fully involved by Week 1 of the season, if not way sooner, the incident has understandably had a significant impact on some of those closest to him, including assistant head coach Chris Foerster.

"Yeah, I’m not going to cry up here in this first one, okay? So, tough question," he admitted to the media when sharing how he felt when he heard the news.

"I’m not afraid to cry, but the thing is the guy – he’s family to me, this whole organization. Kyle, I’ve known Kyle for a long time. He’s one of my best friends in the world by far.

Nov 19, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster talks on the sideline during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

"There’s not many people that I call a friend for a lot of reasons, and Kyle’s one of them. He and his wife, Mandy, are like family to me. This organization did some things for me and pulled me in at a time in my life when nobody would really want to be with me.

"And Kyle, along with John and the whole York family have stood by me and that loyalty’s never going to be forgotten. He’s a close, close friend, and it scares the crap out of you when something like this happens to somebody so close.

"And I can only imagine – I was thinking the day after, Mandy, I’m thinking, his wife, I felt like, gosh, what’s she going through to pull up and whatever the situation? I’m not sure of all the details, but I just think the whole thing is just very, very tough and it was difficult for me, obviously.”

In situations like this, a great deal of credit should go to those who have stepped up in Shanahan's absence, just as the players have done when teammates have been sidelined by injuries.

It remains to be seen when Shanahan will be able to resume his normal activities, but most importantly, his health and well-being should always come first.