SANTA CLARA -- Among the 49ers offseason acquisitions, one particular face on the team’s practice field stands out.
The 49ers on Friday confirmed the hiring of Laura Schnettgoecke as assistant athletic trainer. Schnettgoecke is the first female athletic trainer in club history. The 49ers did not publicize the hiring in a press release, nor is there any mention of her on the team’s website.
Schnettgoecke becomes the NFL's third full-time athletic trainer. Ariko Iso spent nine years with the Pittsburgh Steelers before moving on to become Oregon State’s head athletic trainer. Sonia Gysland, an assistant athletic trainer with the Steelers, is the only other current female in that role, according to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society directory.