49ers Legend Diagnosed With Dementia at 54 — Can’t Speak, But Still Remembers Playing for San Francisco

San Francisco, CA – October 5, 2025The Seattle Seahawks’ desperate search for a Sam Darnold replacement nearly landed them a young quarterback from across the division. But the San Francisco 49ers weren’t about to let him slip away. According to multiple reports, the Seahawks expressed interest in signing Adrian Martinez off San Francisco’s practice squad after Sam’s shoulder injury created an urgent depth problem. By league rules, Martinez could have been added directly to Seattle’s 53-man roster if he accepted the offer. Instead, the 49ers responded decisively — elevating Martinez to their own active roster on Monday. The move protects the 25-year-old and ensures he’ll remain in San Francisco for at least three weeks as he now secures a full roster spot. Martinez’s path has been anything but ordinary. Undrafted out of Kansas State in 2023, he briefly spent time with the Detroit Lions before resurfacing in the USFL, where he showcased his dual-threat ability and earned another NFL opportunity. San Francisco signed him to a reserve/futures deal in January 2025, betting on his mobility and upside as a developmental quarterback. In the 2025 preseason, Martinez drew praise from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan for his calm presence and playmaking flashes, including a 48-yard scramble against Denver. Still, he was cut from the 53-man roster on August 27. Two days later, he cleared waivers and chose to sign with the 49ers’ practice squad rather than explore other offers — citing the chance to learn under Shanahan’s system and develop behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. He has since trained closely with the quarterback group while wearing jersey No.4. Now, with the Seahawks circling, the 49ers made the call to keep him in-house. For Martinez, it’s a chance to prove himself on the active roster; for the 49ers, it’s about protecting a hidden gem and preventing a hated NFC West rival from poaching him at a moment of weakness.