Kyle Shanahan car crash nearly cost 49ers coach an eye, Chris Simms says
Chris Simms said Kyle Shanahan suffered broken ribs, facial stitches and a concussion after a July 14 crash in Palo Alto.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
New Kyle Shanahan car crash details from Chris Simms paint a rough picture of the 49ers head coach’s July 14 wreck in Palo Alto, including injuries Simms said came close to costing Shanahan his right eye.
Simms, a longtime friend of Shanahan, spoke about the crash Monday on “PFT Live.” He said he first learned something had happened when Shanahan’s wife, Mandy, texted him that the coach had been in a serious accident and sent photos from the aftermath.
According to Simms, the images made clear that Shanahan had taken a punishing hit. Simms said Shanahan was dealing with broken ribs, about 40 stitches to his face, a broken nose, a broken left hand and a concussion.
Simms also said one facial wound was close enough to Shanahan’s right eye that the injury could have been permanent. He described the scar near the eye as large and said seeing the open cuts soon after the crash was difficult.
What happened in Kyle Shanahan's car crash?
TMZ Sports reported that authorities said the crash happened around 6:13 p.m. at an intersection in Palo Alto. Police and firefighters responded to the two-vehicle collision, and Shanahan was taken to a hospital.
Authorities have not said which driver caused the crash, according to TMZ Sports. Police also said neither driver has been cited.
The wreck happened on July 14, but public word of it did not emerge until 11 days later, according to TMZ Sports. Simms’ comments then added the first detailed account of the injuries Shanahan was said to be recovering from.
What injuries did Chris Simms say Kyle Shanahan had?
Simms listed several injuries during his “PFT Live” appearance: broken ribs, facial stitches, a broken nose, a broken left hand and a concussion. He said Shanahan’s right eye was nearly in danger because of the location and severity of one cut.
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, and symptoms can vary from short-term dizziness or headache to more serious issues that require medical evaluation. The report did not include details on Shanahan’s treatment, release from the hospital or current football schedule.
Simms said the crash also left Shanahan shaken by how close the situation came to being worse. According to Simms, the coach understood after the wreck that he could have died.
Shanahan has been the San Francisco 49ers’ head coach since 2017. The team’s official comment on Simms’ account was not included in the report, and Shanahan has not publicly given his own detailed version of the crash in the information reported.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.