SANTA CLARA -- A photo of a shirtless Sammy Davis glares from every box containing a HydroMax System. The 49ers cornerback invented this novel way for football players to carry water on their backs, and he enjoys being the face of his burgeoning company.
But while the budding inventor's next brainstorm percolates, Davis is working on his day job as a surprise starter in San Francisco.
"It's pretty cool to have something waiting for you after your playing career," Davis said.
That career was in doubt last season in San Diego, but Davis has been rejuvenated after just a few weeks in San Francisco's training camp. He will start for the 49ers on Sunday in their exhibition game at Oakland as a replacement for Shawntae Spencer, who will be out for at least another week with a strained hamstring.
Davis is busy these days, but his two lifelong friends from the Houston area are refining and marketing their intriguing invention.
Davis, Carl Henderson and former college baseball player Chris Spencer developed the HydroMax, which allows football players to stay hydrated during games. Davis and Spencer refined their invention while winning a reality television show last year.
The HydroMax contains two flat pouches holding 16 ounces of liquid. Wrapped in an insulated case and attached to the back of shoulder pads, the player drinks through a tube that snakes through the neck hole in his jersey.
Lightweight and quickly refillable, the device got positive reviews from Davis' teammates in San Diego and San Francisco. Players even wore the HydroMax in last season's Hula Bowl, and Davis believes the current nationwide concern over dehydration and heat exhaustion makes his venture even more important.
Davis, who describes himself as a habitual inventor, stays in touch with his partners throughout the season -- and Davis keeps hustling even in the locker room, handing out business cards with his picture and the inscription: "Sam Davis, Corporate Office."
"I really want Larry Allen to wear it," Davis said of the 49ers' 10-time Pro Bowl guard who sweats prolifically during practices and games. "Just because he's Larry Allen, and everybody knows who he is. And he's a big guy. I want to get everybody a box, though."
The company has peddled the product to school districts in his native Texas, and they're sold in sporting goods stores throughout the South. Davis believes in this business: He financed the venture mostly through his football earnings, and the company also holds a patent on an extra-safe version of a car jack.
The 49ers acquired Davis in an offseason trade with the San Diego Chargers for receiver Rashaun Woods, another similar first-round bust. But while the oft-injured Woods already has been discarded by San Diego, Davis has played his way into a regular role with the Niners.
"Sammy is very competitive," Nolan said. "He's got good range, good cover ability. He's certainly an upgrade at the position from last year."
Though his promotion is a reflection on the dire state of the 49ers' defensive backfield, Davis still earned this opportunity with the same hustle he shows in his business ventures. He regrets his regression in San Diego after starting all 16 games as a rookie in 2003.
"It's good to have a fresh start and be with people that really believe in you," Davis said Thursday. "I expect to show that I can play, that I can be counted on. ... I think I was blessed to have some opportunity (in San Diego), but it probably wasn't the same as everybody else."<
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
suebeckmeyer said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.