Electrical substation near Levi's Stadium
22M+ Views on X

The 49ers Substation Hypothesis

A viral investigation connecting chronic EMF exposure from an electrical substation to the San Francisco 49ers' unprecedented epidemic of soft-tissue injuries.

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22M+
Views on X
Widespread Coverage
Major Media Outlets
Joe Rogan
Podcast Mention
GM John Lynch
Addresses Substation

In America's Game, where fortunes ride on every explosive cut, a viral bombshell erupts: Could a buzzing substation be secretly sabotaging the 49ers' elite roster? This explosive collision pits NFL glory and billion-dollar stakes against an unexplained epidemic of tendon ruptures, cutting-edge biophysics challenging official safety regulations, social media memes igniting widespread debate, and the raw tension between entrenched business interests, science funding priorities, and emerging health concerns that could shatter athletes' recovery paradigms forever—and leave the bigger question hanging: how might it reshape everyday health perceptions long after the final whistle?

The Story

I'm Peter Cowan, and along with Chase Senior, I broke the internet with my viral 49ers electrical substation injury hypothesis. My essay connecting the substation to the team's soft-tissue injuries generated 22M+ views on X, major press coverage, and a steady stream of media requests.

The story has been discussed by Bill Simmons multiple times on his podcast. Then it hit a new level: 49ers GM John Lynch addressed it publicly, and Joe Rogan referenced it on his podcast the following day.

The Timeline

Legacy media has largely written me off as a "conspiracy theorist" without examining my claims, even as credible scientists and researchers have validated the underlying mechanisms (none of whom the media bothered to contact).

Read the Full Discovery Story

The Mechanism

How EMF exposure can lead to soft-tissue injuries

1

Mitochondrial Disruption

EMF from the substation interferes with the electron transport chain, causing electron leakage

2

Reduced ATP & Water

Less energy production, more free radicals (ROS), and critically, less metabolic water is generated

3

Cellular Dehydration

Oxidative stress from excess ROS damages cells and tissues; glycolysis takes over, water decreases and lactic acid builds up

4

Collagen Weakening

Dehydration + acidosis weakens collagen's hydrogen bonds, making tendons brittle

The result: tendons and ligaments become structurally compromised, making them vulnerable to non-contact ruptures under normal athletic load — exactly the pattern of injuries plaguing the 49ers.

Dive deeper into the research

Major Press Coverage

Featured in the nation's top publications

Washington Post

Coverage of the 49ers EMF substation hypothesis

New York Times / The Athletic

In-depth analysis of the injury patterns

ESPN

"Niners look at everything, including substation hypothesis"

SF Chronicle

Local coverage explaining the EMF hypothesis

High Profile Mentions

JOE
ROGAN
Joe Rogan Podcast
Mentioned the hypothesis on his show
JOHN
LYNCH
GM John Lynch
Publicly addressed the hypothesis

Media Appearances

Interviews and discussions about the investigation

Skip Bayless / Arena Gridiron Crew
YouTube
Barstool Sports - Pardon My Take
Spotify
Talk Radio 1210 WPHT
Radio Interview
8 News Now Vegas
TV Interview
Coach JB Show
YouTube
10 Day Tony
YouTube

Player Confirmations

Former NFL players who have spoken about the hypothesis

DW
Delanie Walker
Former NFL Tight End
WC
Will Compton
Former NFL Linebacker
"This needs to have 1 billion views"
TP
Taybor Pepper
NFL Long Snapper

The Viral Post

The tweet that started it all — now with over 22 million views

View on X →

About the Author

Peter Cowan

Peter Cowan

Board-Certified Quantum Biology Practitioner

I worked in tech for two decades, managing chronic illness for most of my career. I got very sick in 2019 while developing software for a wireless networking company. I was routinely surrounded by 3-4 high-power WiFi routers on my desk, and dozens–if not hundreds–more access points in the office. I left that job, but spent five more years in tech slowly getting better.

After concluding that my environment was making me unwell, I quit and healed myself, then transitioned from tech to becoming a wellness practitioner, engaging in clinical work with clients, and in home environmental assessments, along with educational apps to scale my services. This experience primed me to make the connection between EMF and the 49ers' tendon issues when I first heard Jon Feliciano talking about it on the radio last year.

SubstackXInstagramAppWellness Practice

My Research

My research explores how EMF disrupts mitochondrial function, leading to reduced metabolic water production and cellular dehydration — ultimately weakening the collagen structure in tendons and causing the exact type of soft-tissue injuries plaguing the 49ers.

Explore the Research