SANTA CLARA – Nick Bosa recently revealed a little-known secret: The 49ers star is superstitious.
During pregame warmups, the All-Pro pass rusher always wears the same sleeveless undershirt and black shorts. While this combination is not unusual, what is immediately noticeable is the tattered and ragged condition of the shirt.
Of course, the 49ers would provide Bosa with new gear if he wanted it, but he told NBC Sports Bay Area that he doesn’t want to replace the jersey he’s been wearing. every game since its debut in 2019.
“When you play football, you can’t help but be superstitious,” Bosa said. “I try not to be, but you see me knocking on wood every 10 seconds and that’s just part of this game where everything is so uncertain that you become superstitious.”
The shirt that Bosa originally cut the sleeves off has a jagged hem that has seen better days after being worn in 68 regular-season games and another 12 postseason games. The undershirt is also nowhere near its original white color after 3,253 defensive snaps and 44 on special teams.
“That’s a pretty smelly football player,” Bosa said, laughing.
Bosa’s training undershirt was not so lucky, however. The garment came to an end earlier this week after being worn significantly more than the matchday version.
“It’s fallen apart, it’s gone,” Bosa said somberly. “This is new. My game is still intact. This is what I really want to keep together. If this falls apart, they may have to sew it together for me.”
San Francisco operations manager Jay Brunetti hadn’t noticed the undershirt’s long existence, but added that if it works for Bosa, there’s no reason to change.
Brunetti, affectionately known as “J-Bird” by players and coaches, assured NBC Sports Bay Area that the jersey will be washed after each wear.
“If (Bosa) needs his shirt sewn, we will definitely do it for him,” Brunetti told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He can have everything he needs from us.”
As for the whereabouts of the remains of the old practice jersey, Bosa said there was no ceremonial burial or burning of the remains. He described how the garment was ripped up and stripped off “Hulk” style after practice earlier in the week.
As for the game-day jersey, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was some sort of ritual in place should Bosa no longer be able to wear it, since it was part of the edge rusher’s 53.5 quarterback sacks in the regular season and another 10 in the postseason.
The jersey was also responsible for 209 tackles – 150 solo and 72 for loss – and 141 quarterback hits during the regular season, which is why Bosa was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Bosa and his jersey will make their 2024 debut during pregame warmups Monday night at Levi’s Stadium when the 49ers host the New York Jets in the season opener, kicking off at 5:20 p.m. PT.
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