NFL Insider Reveals The Real Reason Why Kyle Shanahan’s Crash Was Kept Secret For Nearly 2 Weeks [VIDEO]

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms believes several factors contributed to Kyle Shanahan’s serious car accident remaining out of the public eye for nearly two weeks.

Shanahan was involved in a head-on collision in Palo Alto on July 14. The accident left him with a severe concussion, a broken nose, three fractured ribs, a broken left hand and facial lacerations requiring more than 40 stitches. 

The San Francisco 49ers did not publicly disclose the crash until July 25, when the organization announced Shanahan would participate in training camp on a limited basis while recovering.

Simms discussed the crash on ProFootballTalk this week, revealing that the head coach nearly lost his right eye. 

He said he expected news of the San Francisco 49ers head coach’s crash to emerge much sooner. But he also understands why it took as long as it did.

“I was sitting there every day after it happened going, ‘Is the news going to break today? Is the news going to break today? Is the news going to break today?’’” Simms said. “I certainly looked at my wife a few times in the last 12-13 days, and we looked at each other, ‘Huh, this is pretty amazing it still hasn’t come out.’”

Chris Simms Shares His Theory Behind Reporting Delay

Simms offered an interesting opinion when explaining why the story stayed private.

“I think between that and the goodwill he’s worked up there in the San Francisco area, and the fact that, of course, I believe he was coming from a chiropractic adjustment when this all happened, so he was close to the stadium,” he explained. “As you know and we know, these organizations are tied into the police departments that are around the stadium and the facilities and all that.”

“So, with all that, I’m with you. I’m surprised it took that long to come out as well, but at the same time I understood it, once I shared a few of those details that I just explained right there.”

Simms did not provide evidence that the 49ers or local law enforcement intentionally withheld information. Instead, he speculated that Shanahan’s longstanding relationships in the area, combined with the circumstances surrounding the crash, may have contributed to the delay.

Since the accident became public, additional records have surfaced showing that the other driver was listed as the at-fault party. Public records also noted Shanahan was holding a handheld cell phone at the time of the crash, although police did not issue him a citation.

Shanahan has since returned to the 49ers’ facility and is participating in training camp on a limited basis as he recovers from his injuries.