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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has extended his unwavering to star left tackle Trent Williams, who is grieving the loss of his stillborn son. Williams' wife, Sondra, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, revealing that their "forever angel" ed away in her womb on November 24 at 35 weeks of pregnancy.
Sondra also disclosed that she had been carrying twins but lost the other baby earlier in the pregnancy. The news has sent shockwaves through the 49ers community, with Williams taking a leave of absence to be with his family during this painful time.
Shanahan's words of encouragement
In a statement addressing Williams' loss, Shanahan spoke about the importance of unity and within the team.
"Whatever you go through, the good or the bad, we go through it together," Shanahan said, emphasizing the bonds among teammates. "You can't ever escape that full grief, but having an outlet like the football field and the of teammates can make a difference."
Shanahan also balanced his empathy with the need to focus on the challenges the 49ers face on the field.
"Life brings immense challenges, but everyone on this team has a job to do," he added. "We're a team that counts on everybody, and we're here to Trent while continuing to push forward."
A difficult season for the 49ers
Williams, a three-time All-Pro First Team member, has missed the team's last two games due to an ankle injury. His absence, coupled with the emotional toll of his personal loss, comes at a tough time for the 49ers.
San Francisco has been struggling this season, holding a 5-7 record and enduring three consecutive losses. Despite the adversity, Shanahan remains optimistic about the team's resilience and ability to rally together.
The 49ers are set to face the Chicago Bears this Sunday, as they aim to break their losing streak and stay in contention for a playoff spot.
While football remains a priority, Shanahan's message underscores the humanity of the sport where triumphs and tragedies alike are met with the strength of a unified team.