For the overwhelming majority of San Francisco 49ers, Week 1's showdown against the Los Angeles Rams will be the first time they're heading down under and visiting Australia.
It won't be the first time for defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, though. Not even just the second time.
As shared by the San Jose Mercury News' Cam Inman, the 28-year-old defender has traveled to Australia twice over the previous two offseasons. In February of 2025, he and some former Tennessee Titans teammates headed to Melbourne for a special Super Bowl event, and Okuayinonu couldn't help but notice how electrified the environment was.
"When I went to Melbourne, they were hosting a Super Bowl event, and seeing how much they love football, I’m excited to see how they’re going to be cheering," Okuayinonu described, via Inman. "And with the capacity of that stadium, it’s going to be full with energy in there. It’s pretty cool."
That'll certainly help ramp up the Niners' excitement. But Okuayinonu also had a blunt perspective on how San Francisco's players and coaches need to prepare for the arduous journey across the Pacific.
Sam Okuayinonu underlines sleep importance for 49ers ahead of Australia game
The 49ers opted to head out to Australia a week in advance, aiming to get plenty of time for acclimation to the drastic time-zone shift.
Okuayinonu's advice to his teammates was simple but important.
"Just try to stay on top of the sleep schedule, so you’ll be ready to go come game time, because the jet lag is real," Okuayinonu added.
Several Niners, including defensive end Keion White, have said they plan to get plenty of sleep and rest on the lengthly flight across the ocean, and Okuayinonu's perspective is certainly one they'd be wise to listen to.
Given Okuayinonu's prior travels to Australia, he arguably knows better than any other players on San Francisco's roster, and his insight gives the squad a unique "travel agent" perspective most wouldn't be able to offer.
The 49ers would be wise to heed what he advises.
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