The Super Bowl had just wrapped, and the city was settling into the quiet hours of Monday morning.
But for San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White, the night took a frightening turn.
White was shot in the ankle early Monday, Feb. 9, just hours after the biggest game of the NFL season. The injury was not life-threatening, but it sent the 26-year-old to the hospital — and quickly rippled through the 49ers organization.
What police say happened
San Francisco police responded to a shooting at a business shortly after 4 a.m.
When officers arrived, they found a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Police said a verbal altercation between two groups inside the business escalated, and shots were fired by an unknown suspect.
The victim was treated by paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
The team confirms White’s injury
Later that day, the 49ers confirmed that White was the victim of the shooting.
In a statement, the team said he sustained a bullet wound to his ankle and underwent surgery at a local hospital. The team added that further updates would be shared when appropriate.
The injury was described as serious but not life-threatening.
A season that just ended
White joined the 49ers in October 2025 after being traded from the New England Patriots in exchange for a future draft pick.
He appeared in 11 games for San Francisco and was part of the team’s playoff run, most recently playing in the divisional loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 17.
Just weeks into the offseason, his focus has now shifted from football recovery to physical healing.
Not an isolated incident
White is the second 49ers player to be shot in San Francisco in the past 18 months.
In August 2024, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery. A 17-year-old suspect was later charged and is awaiting trial in juvenile court.
The repeated incidents have quietly unsettled players and fans alike.
Why this moment lands hard
For many, the story is jarring because of its timing.
The Super Bowl often marks a clean emotional reset for players — a moment to exhale after months of physical risk on the field. Instead, White’s injury came away from the stadium, in everyday life, where danger feels less expected.
It’s a reminder that even elite athletes aren’t insulated from the same unpredictability faced by everyone else.
A quiet pause
As the investigation continues, White begins a different kind of recovery — one measured not in snaps or stats, but in patience.
For now, the focus remains on healing, and on hoping that a frightening night becomes a footnote rather than a turning point.
