Team awards: LB Warner wins top honors, including Eshmont
Linebacker Fred Warner ’ s first season as a 49ers captain has yielded a string of worthy awards, from not only his NFL counterparts but also his teammates.
Warner won the 49ers’ two most prestigious honors: the Len Eshmont Award, as voted upon by players for embodying the inspirational and courageous play of the award’s namesake, a member of the original 1946 team; and, the Bill Walsh Award, in which coaches recognize the player who best represented the professional excellence of late coach Bill Walsh.
Warner was named last month to his first Pro Bowl and is a candidate for Associated Press AllPro honors. He led the 49ers (610) in tackles for a third straight season.
“The Pro Bowl and All-Pro stuff are great and what you want to achieve indiv idually in your game. Those things are not what fuels me to play this game at the highest level,” Warner said. “I’m playing for my family, first and foremost. I play for respect, most among my peers. When I step on the field, I’d rather be respected than liked.
“Ultimately I’m trying to win a Super Bowl. I’m playing for that ring on my finger at the end of the year. Knowing we don’t have that shot at it, it kills me. Seeing the graphic last night of the playoffs of who’s in and who’s out, it’s eating at me and will fuel me more in the offseason.”
Warner got touted as the NFL’s best linebacker by the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and CBS analyst Tony Romo during the season, and one more compliment came when he went out for the coin toss before Sunday’s seasonending loss to Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.
“He told me how great a year I’ve had and how much fun it’s been to compete against one another,” Warner said. “The mutual respect amongst peers.”
The only other 49ers to win both the Eshmont and Walsh awards in the same season — since the Walsh award’s inception in 2004 — were Bryant Young (2004) and Justin Smith (2011).
Here are the 49ers’ other award winners:
ED BLOCK COURAGE AWARD >> Cornerback Jason Verrett. Ever y team around the league nominates a player who exemplifies sportsmanship and courage.
HAZELTINE IRON MAN AWARD >> Verrett. The defense’s most courageous and inspirational player wins this award named after Matt Hazeltine, a former 49ers linebacker who passed away in 1987 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
THOMAS HERRION AWARD >> Linebacker Demetrius FlanniganFowles. This goes to the rookie or first-year player who made the most of their opportunity.
BOBB MCKITTRICK AWARD >> Laken Tomlinson. The offensive linemen’s top honor for upholding the dedication, excellence and commitment standard set by late offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick.
GARRY NIVER AWARD >> Trent Williams. Professionalism and cooperation with the media is recognized in this award from the San Francisco chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
WALTER PAYTON MAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE >> Arik Armstead. His community outreach, particularly in his native Sacramento area, includes educating youth and promoting social equality.
PERRY/ YONAMINE UNITY AWARD >> Armstead. This award recognizes a player who promotes unity within the team and community.