The 49ers on Tuesday announced the winners for their team awards for the 2023 season.
San Francisco each season issues a handful of internal awards for various on and off-field achievements.
Here’s a rundown of each winner:
Len Eshmont Award: QB Brock Purdy
This is a prestigious award for Purdy to win. Players vote on the award based on “who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team,” per the team.
Bill Walsh Award: RB Christian McCaffrey
It makes sense that, since this award is named for the legendary 49ers coach, that coaches would make this selection. According to the team, the Bill Walsh Award is given to “the 49er who has best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Walsh.”
Bobb McKittrick Award: OL Colton McKivitz
The 2023 campaign was McKivitz’s first as a full-time starter. He started all 17 games for San Francisco and earned the Bobb McKittrick Award because he “best represents the courage, intensity and sacrifice displayed by the longtime offensive line coach, during his 21 years of service to the 49ers.” This award is voted on by the team’s offensive linemen.
Hazeltine Iron Man Award: LB Fred Warner
Defensive coaches award this honor, named after former linebacker Matt Hazeltine, to the “most courageous and inspirational defensive player.” Walsh established this award in 1987 after Hazeltine passed away from ALS.
Thomas Herrion Memorial Award: S Ji’Ayir Brown
Brown’s journey from third-round pick, to special teams contributor, to starting safety in the Super Bowl earned him this honor. Team owners John and Denise York created this award in 2005 to honor Thomas Herrion, and it’s given to the rookie or first-year player who “has taken advantage of every opportunity, turned it into a positive situation and made their dream turn into a reality.” Coaches vote for this award.
Ed Block Courage Award: DT Javon Kinlaw
Every NFL team awards an Ed Block Courage Award to one player on their team. Ed Block was the head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts for 23 years, and “was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian whose most passionate cause was helping children of abuse.”
Per the 49ers, “the award is presented in his name each year to the player that exemplified a commitment to sportsmanship and courage.” Kinlaw and th other 31 winners will receive their awards at a banquet in Baltimore, MD, and proceeds from the event benefit the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation’s Courage House National Support Network.
“Named after the NFL team in a respective NFL city, a Courage House is a facility that provides support and quality care for abused children and their families in that community,” the 49ers said in the release announcing the awards. “The 49ers dedicated their Courage House in October 2003 at the Edgewood House in San Francisco.”
Perry/Yonamine Unity Award: TE George Kittle
Players awarded Kittle this honor because he “exhibits an exceptional commitment to promoting unity within the team and in their community.” Both Joe “The Jet” Perry and Wally Yonamine have their names associated with the award.
