San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner stepped up to the podium after practice on Tuesday, a day after news broke that team owner Jed York had been arrested in Ohio as part of a prostitution sting conducted by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
"Football questions, I'm sure," Warner jokingly told reporters ahead of the first question.
The first question was, in fact, football-related, with a reporter asking Warner for his assessment of teammate Larry Worth, whom Warner praised.
Then came the question about York and the potential impact the situation may have had on the 49ers locker room.
"We're all aware," Warner said. "I think we all have social media, so we see things. But at the same time, I've got a lot of love, a lot of respect for Jed, and don't feel the need to comment on the situation. I think the team is kind of the same way. It really wasn't a conversation being had in the locker room.
"Of course, yeah, you notice it, but at the same time, we're so hyper-focused in this building of trying to prepare for Week 1. A lot of guys are on the bubble, trying to make the team. So, we're just trying to get better as a football team and letting that—that's a personal situation—letting it stay personal with him."
The 49ers have dealt with significant drama this offseason, including the Brandon Aiyuk situation, head coach Kyle Shanahan's car accident and injuries, and now York's arrest.
Warner said it is easy to prevent outside distractions from creating problems inside the building because of the team's mindset, the rigors of training camp, and preparing for the 2026 season.
"Training camp is a beast in itself when it comes to just football and preparing yourself for what a 17-game season entails," Warner explained. "Kyle's done a tremendous job of recovering and being present for us as the head coach, and it's been a seamless transition for what he went through.
"Like I said, again, we're so hyper-focused on what we got to do on the field that, that kind of stuff that may get—there's different narratives and things that are talked about, whether it's social media or amongst you guys and everything, or amongst the fans.
"In here, in this building, it truly is all about football and trying to make sure we have the best product on the field for everybody—for ourselves and for everybody that's counting on us. So, that truly hasn't really been a thought in my mind or the rest of the team, I'd say."
Shanahan also addressed the potential impact of York's arrest on the team.
"From a football standpoint, it has no effect on us," Shanahan said. "As far as what we do day-to-day, what we talk about, it hasn't been mentioned in a meeting today. It doesn't have to do with what happens on the field. Everything outside of there, I think you guys can judge that better than me."
He added, "I think it's been training camp as usual."
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