All hell is breaking up in the San Francisco 49ers side of football right now and this might not be the best day for Kyle Shanahan. it started with Deebo Samuel trade rumors, then came problems with Brandon Aiyuk, and now the team is parting ways with their Head of Player Health and Performance, Ben Peterson. He’s been overseeing athletes’ training, nutrition, and other needs since 2019, but not anymore.
Tom Pelissero broke the news that the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA have decided to pick Peterson up as their VP of Player Health and Performance. This is a huge deal for both 49ers and the Hawks and the former seems to be having an upper hand. Per Pelissoro, during Peterson’s tenure, the 49ers’ injury rates plummeted significantly as their 2018 season was filled with injured players.
Pelissero took to X and pointed out, “The Atlanta Hawks are hiring #49ers head of player health & performance Ben Peterson as VP of Player Health and Performance, per sources. Peterson was well-regarded in SF. He oversaw athletic training, functional performance, nutrition and strength & conditioning since 2019.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Atlanta Hawks are hiring #49ers head of player health & performance Ben Peterson as VP of Player Health and Performance, per sources.
Peterson was well-regarded in SF. He oversaw athletic training, functional performance, nutrition and strength & conditioning since 2019. pic.twitter.com/ef3SMIyfcG
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 21, 2024
Per Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, “Peterson was a key 49er figure very trusted by Shanahan and Lynch,” and he’s also worked with NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and now he is going to the NBA. This is a huge loss for the San Francisco 49ers and there’s no news about his replacement as of yet. There are a few speculations about who is going to replace Ben Peterson.
Per rumors, it may be someone closer to Peterson, or an outsider who isn’t connected to the 49ers at all.
Watch this space for updates.