San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Shares the Team’s ‘Dark Place’ Secret

The 2020 NFL season has not gone as per plan for Kyle Shanahan and his hardworking San Francisco 49ers players. Last year’s Super Bowl runner-ups are last in the NFC West Division table behind the likes of Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and surprisingly even the Los Angeles Rams.

The 49ers have been hit with a host of injury struggles this season. Promising defensive end Nick Bosa tore his ACL during his game in New York while RB Raheem Mostert was placed on the injury reserve list with an ankle injury.

Despite their on-field struggles, the Red and Gold totally outplayed Bill Belichick-led New England Patriots in Week 7. Jimmy Garoppolo and Co. made their way to a comfortable 6-33 win at the Gillette Stadium last weekend.

What is the secret behind the ‘never back down’ mentality that is part of the culture in the 49ers dressing room?

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Kyle Shanahan, George Kittle reveal San Francisco 49ers’ secret

San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan appeared on an interview in the build-up to this weekend’s game. The San Francisco-based outfit has found form in recent weeks, and coach Shanahan reveals what separates his squad from all the other 31 teams in the league.

“I think what separates people is what’s inside. In order to bring that out on the football field, you’ve got to be in a pretty aggressive mindset. It’s a very aggressive sport. I don’t care how tough you are. Those hits hurt and they hurt people.

“If you sit there and you think about it, you’ll ease up as the game goes. But, if you can go to that dark place and get your mind right, it can take you to a whole other level,” Shanahan said via NBC Sports.

Pierre Garçon and his ‘Dark Place’ state of mind

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan further elaborates on how former wide receiver Pierre Garçon was one of his favorite players to train with.

Garçon was with the 49ers through the 2017-18 season. Prior to that, Pierre was part of the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Redskins (now Washington Football Team).

“Pierre was one of my favorite people I’ve ever coached in terms of what we’re talking about right now. People didn’t want to mess with him. They could feel it from him, the anger he played with and the energy he played with.

“That’s something that is hard to get to rub off on people. That’s why Pierre always had a close spot to me and why I wanted him here,” Shanahan added.

The Red and Gold are currently on a 4-3 record after last week’s win over the New England Patriots. Over the next three weeks, they will go up against some of the next teams in the league beginning with Russell Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks this weekend.

Following that, the 49ers take on the Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers before a tough outing against reigning NFC South champions New Orleans Saints. The Niners need to up their ante in the coming weeks if they want to make the Playoffs this season.

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