Historical Highlights

The Ed Block Courage Award
The Ed Block Courage Award is named after Ed Block, the former head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts of 23 years. Block was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian whose most passionate cause was helping children of abuse. The award is presented in his name each year to the player that exemplified a commitment to sportsmanship and courage. Ed Block Courage Award winners from each of the 32 NFL teams are honored at a banquet in Baltimore, MD. All 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 dedicated their Courage House in October 2003 at the Edgewood House in San Francisco.

Ed Block Courage Award
1984 S Ronnie Lott
1985 LB Keena Turner
1986 QB Joe Montana
1987 WR Mike Wilson
1988 CB Eric Wright
1989 DB Chet Brooks
1990 WR Mike Sherrard
1991 DB Dave Waymer
1992 CB Eric Davis
1993 CB Don Griffin
1994 T Harris Barton
1995 DT Dennis Brown
1996 FB William Floyd
1997 C Jesse Sapolu
1998 WR Jerry Rice
1999 DT Bryant Young
2000 RB Garrison Hearst
2001 S Lance Schulters
2002 S Tony Parrish
2003 C Jeremy Newberry
2004 LB Jamie Winborn
2005 C Jeremy Newberry
2006 RB Frank Gore
2007 C Eric Heitmann

The Len Eshmont Award

The Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers most prestigious annual honor, has been given each year to the 49er who best exemplifies the “inspirational and courageous play” of Len Eshmont.  A member of the original 1946 49ers team, Eshmont coached at Navy and Virginia following his playing days with the 49ers.  Eshmont died in 1957.

Listed below are the 49ers annual Len Eshmont Award winners since its inception in 1957:

Matt Hazeltine Award
The Hazeltine Iron Man Award is named after linebacker/center Matt Hazeltine, a 13-year performer who played more seasons at linebacker than any other 49ers player. Known for his durability and dedication, Hazeltine passed away in 1987 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Bill Walsh established the award in his honor that year. The award is given annually to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player.

Matt Hazeltine Award winners
1987   LB Michael Walter                                
1988   LB Charles Haley
1989   DB Ronnie Lott
1990   DE  Kevin Fagan
1991   LB Charles Haley
1992   DE Pierce Holt
1993   S Tim McDonald
1994   CB Merton Hanks
1995   S Tim McDonald
1996   CB Merton Hanks
1997   LB Gary Plummer
1998   S Tim McDonald
1999   DT Bryant Young
2000   LB Ken Norton Jr.
2001   S Lance Schulters
2002   S John Keith
2003   LB Derek Smith
2004   LB Jeff Ulbrich
2005   DE Bryant Young
2006   LB Brandon Moore
2007   LB Jeff Ulbrich
2008   LB Takeo Spikes

Thomas Herrion Award
49ers owners Denise and John York established the Thomas Herrion Memorial Award in 2005, which will be presented each season to a rookie or first-year player that best represents the Dream of Thomas Herrion. The award will go to a player, like Thomas, who has taken advantage of every opportunity, turned it into a positive situation and made their dream turn into a reality.

Thomas Herrion Award winners
2005   T Thomas Herrion
2006   T Harvey Dahl
2007   CB Tarell Brown
2008   WR Dominique Zeigler

The Bobb McKittrick Award
This award is given annually to the 49ers offensive lineman who best exemplifies the dedication, excellence and commitment of offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick, a five-time Super Bowl Champion.

In 1999, the San Francisco 49ers, under the direction of Bill Walsh, established the Bobb McKittrick Award.  The award is meant to honor those offensive linemen who have best represented the courage, intensity and sacrifice displayed by the late Coach McKittrick during his 21 years of service with the 49ers.

“Bobb gave distinguished service to the organization since our renaissance in 1979.  He was a vital factor in five Super Bowl Championships, the evolution of a dynasty and in the production of some of the finest offensive linemen in football. Offensive linemen don’t receive the recognition they so richly deserve.  This gives us a venue to honor their sacrifices and achievements,” Walsh said.

A bronze plaque of McKittrick hangs in the 49ers locker room surrounded by the photographs of the McKittrick Award winners.

Bobb McKittrick Award Winners

Garry Niver Award
The Garry Niver Award is presented annually by the San Francisco Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America to a 49ers’ player for his cooperation and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their jobs. The award is named after pro football writer, Garry Niver, who was a long-time beat writer who covered the 49ers for the San Mateo Times.

Garry Niver Award winners
1993   C/G Jess Sapolu
1994   S Tim McDonald
1995   QB Steve Young
1996   T Steve Wallace
1997   G Ray Brown
1998   S Tim McDonald
1999   WR Jerry Rice
2000   S Lance Schulters
2001   QB Jeff Garcia
2002   DT Dana Stubblefield
2003   QB Jeff Garcia
2004   LB Jeff Ulbrich
2005   LB Julian Peterson
2006   DE Bryant Young
2007   RB Frank Gore

Bill Walsh Award
The Bill Walsh Award was established in 2004 in honor of San Francisco’s Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Walsh. Walsh served as the team’s head coach for 10 seasons from 1979-88. In that time, he compiled a record of 102-63-1 and led the team to three Super Bowls. He was twice named Coach of the Year (1981, 1984) and was later named Coach of the Decade for the 1980s. The award, which is voted on by coaches only, is given to the 49ers team MVP, honoring his outstanding individual annual performance.

Bill Walsh Award Winners
2004   DE Bryant Young
2005   LB Derek Smith
            K Joe Nedney
2006   RB Frank Gore
            CB Walt Harris
2007   CB Nate Clements
            LB Patrick Willis
2008   DE Justin Smith

NFL Award Winners