At his first press conference since causing a car crash that left him with broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken left hand, facial lacerations and a concussion, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced he'll return to the sideline for his team's first preseason game this week.But Shanahan wasn't done announcing.He also made it clear his head-on collision in July, for which he's taken responsibility, has left him with a new perspective on Tesla's autopilot feature that seemingly drives the car by itself, and concussions, which are a significant part of all NFL seasons.NFL EMPLOYEES’ TROUBLING DRIVING INCIDENTS MOUNT, COSTING JOBS AND PUTTING OTHERS AT RISKSan Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Dec.12, 2024.
(AP Photo/Godofredo A.Vásquez)"When you're going at 20 miles an hour and you're on autopilot, I honestly have zero worries," Shanahan told reporters.
"I have so much trust in that stuff.That was a good lesson that you can't ever have zero worries.
I think it definitely could be an example for a lot of people."Shanahan is not a Tesla hater.He didn't protest the brand or Elon Musk back in 2025.
In fact, he's owned Teslas for years.ZERO BS.JUST DAKICH.
TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD.DOWNLOAD NOW!But this crash has made him see his driving experience differently."Dropping a phone, it falling all the way to my back seat to where I have to fully take my eyes off the road, it's something that I normally wouldn’t do," Shanahan said.
"I've had autopilot for nine years, so I'm pretty comfortable with it.Who knows what happened when I turned around.
Whether it malfunctioned or whether I knocked it off, that's something I don't know yet."But regardless, it is always your fault, whether you're on autopilot or not.You can't take your eyes off the road.
It's a partnership driving.You don't just turn it over to a computer.
It's...