Niners honor their own
The 49ers’ Super Bowl run was the work of dozens of players, coaches and others within the organization.
Wednesday morning, the team honored its top on-field contributors by announcing its team award recipients
• George Kittle was given the Len Eshmont Award, voted by his fellow 49ers players. The award is named after an original Niner known for his “inspirational and courageous play”
• DeForest Buckner earned the Bill Walsh Award, chosen by the coaching staff, for reaching the “standard of professional excellence established by Walsh.”
• First-year Niner Kwon Alexander received the Hazeltine Iron Man Award, voted on by the 49ers defensive staff in memory of 13-year linebacker Matt Hazeltine. Alexander was considered by many to be the emotional leader of the defense and battled back from a torn pectoral suffered on Halloween to play in the postseason.
• Mike Person was honored with the Bobb McKittrick Award, which his fellow offensive linemen awarded him for his play in the trenches this season.
• The 49ers’ coaching staff awarded Dre Greenlaw the Thomas Herrion Memorial Award, which goes to the rookie who made the most of their opportunity. Greenlaw stepped in for Alexander and made perhaps the play of the season for the 49ers, stopping Seahawks TE Jacob Hollister ahead of the goal line in the final seconds of Week 17 and securing an NFC West crown and firstround bye for the 49ers.
• Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas received the Ed Block Courage Award, which each NFL team gives out in honor of the former Baltimore Colts athletic trainer who was an advocate for children of abuse.
• Ben Garland earned the Perry/Yonamine Unity Award after stepping in at center for the injured Weston Richburg. The players vote on that award, which is given to a player who promotes unity within the locker room and the broader community.
• Richard Sherman was nominated as the 49ers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year and received the Garry Niver Award from the local Pro Football Writers of America chapter.