SANTA CLARA – Coach Kyle Shanahan insisted there was no intent to send a message with the 49ers’ decision to release cornerback Tramaine Brock last week.
Less than four hours after news of Brock getting arrested after an alleged domestic violence incident, the 49ers announced in a one-sentence statement that Brock was no longer an employee of the organization.
Even if a broad statement from the new regime was not intended, that is definitely how it was received.
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“It definitely sends the message to do the right things, not only on the field but off the field,” 49ers veteran left tackle Joe Staley said.
Shanahan said the decision to release Brock was not taken lightly, as the organization began trying to find out as many facts about the incident as possible.
“It was a tough situation because it’s a big deal and you don’t have all of the information,” Shanahan said. “My first time going through it. I found out how hard it is to kind of get all the information. So we spent most of the day trying to figure out all the information you can, as much as you can get, and you never do get all of it, but there was enough there that we felt it was the decision we had to make and move on from.”
NBC Bay Area’s Robert Handa first reported Friday morning Brock was arrested for felony domestic violence and booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock's girlfriend, who is also the mother of his two children, called 911, NBC Bay Area report, citing sources. Officers at the scene found the woman had marks around her neck, according to the report.
The 49ers announced Brock’s release on Friday afternoon. Brock, 28, who started the 31 games the past two seasons, was projected as a starter again this season.
“You’re dealing with people’s lives, so I’d never want to use a situation as sending a message,” Shanahan said. “It’s just us trying to do the right thing, whatever that is. I think each situation’s different and you’ve got to look into every situation, gather all the information that you can. When you do, you try as hard as you can to make the right decision. And I think that’s what I felt we did.”
General manager John Lynch spoke with Brock after his arrest, Shanahan said.