What? Alex Smith can't wear his lucky San Francisco Giants hat anymore?

And you thought baseball players were superstitious ...

49ers quarterback Alex Smith has worn a San Francisco Giants hat after every win since the middle of last season. It's been a good luck charm for the SoCal kid and his Bay Area mates.

But now, the NFL has advised that Smith cannot wear the hat during postgame press conferences any longer. So what will the QB do? Here are a few suggestions we came up with:

1. He can wear the Giants hat under his helmet during games. It may be uncomfortable (and cause a disastrous mix of helmet and hat hair), but it could also provide some extra padding during those big hits.

2. He can get a Giants tattoo on his tongue. It's hidden, not easily removable and can provide the permanent good luck the Niners need.

3. Smith can adopt a panda and carry it with him to postgame press conferences.. If he can't have the team gear, he can at least retain the spirit of Pablo Sandoval.

Update: Giants manager Bruce Bochy showed his support for Smith on Thursday afternoon.

More: Athletes wearing MLB gear

-- Matt Monagan / MLB.com