Early on Monday, Keion White, a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers, sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle at a gathering.
According to a San Francisco Police representative, as reported by The Athletic, the incident occurred at 4:06 a.m. on the 1700 block of Mission Street in San Francisco. A dispute between two parties erupted at the event, culminating in the shooting; however, the precise details of this confrontation remain undisclosed. It is not thought that White participated in the dispute.
Law enforcement transported him to a local medical facility, and he is anticipated to recover. The 49ers verified the shooting, stating that White had an operation on Monday later in the day. More precise information regarding his health status is still pending, but he did share an update on his Instagram profile on Tuesday.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with their prayers and concerns on my behalf,” he wrote on a photo of him in a hospital bed. “I’ve undergone successful surgery. For those who know me, y’all know this won’t stop me from spreading peace and joy to the world. Full steam ahead. I’m in great spirits and ready to make the most of this offseason.”
The incident is currently under investigation.
This event occurred mere hours following the Seattle Seahawks’ victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, held at Levi’s Stadium, located across the Bay Area. The venue is situated over 40 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara. White was present at the Super Bowl and was observed wearing a Patriots cap.
In October, White was acquired by the 49ers in a trade from the Patriots, the team that drafted him as the 46th overall pick in 2023. This season, White accumulated 18 total tackles and 1.5 sacks across 14 appearances. The athlete, aged 27, has one year remaining on his original four-year contract valued at $7.7 million. The 49ers concluded the most recent season with a 12-5 record and qualified for the postseason, where they were eliminated during the divisional round.
White now represents the second instance of a 49ers player being shot within a few years. Prior to his rookie season in 2024, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall suffered a chest wound during a robbery attempt in San Francisco. Pearsall ultimately recovered to participate in 11 contests that season.
