Before teammates hit the parking lot for parts unknown Monday, the 49ers announced their yearly awards as voted by their peers.
Tight end George Kittle won the Len Eshmont Award, which goes to the player who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team.
Middle linebacker Fred Warner was the recipient of the Bill Walsh and Matt Hazeltine awards. The Walsh Award is voted by coaches and recognizes “the standard of excellence established by Walsh” and the Hazeltine Award goes to the most courageous and inspirational player as voted by defensive coaches.
“Anything you get awarded based on voting from your teammates and your peers is one of the biggest because they’re the ones that are with you every single day,” Kittle said Monday. “To be a real person and go through it every single day for an entire season, it means a lot to me to be awarded that from my teammates. If you have respect from your teammates you’re doing something right.”
Warner, like Kittle a Pro Bowl selection and the 49ers leading tackler, was similarly humbled by the recognition.
“It’s a huge honor,” Warner said. “Any time you get your name on that wall over there in the hallway it means the world. Not the season we wanted, but I’m very grateful.”
The following awards were also announced:
The Bobb McKittrick Award
Center Jake Brendel
Given annually to the 49ers offensive lineman who best represents the courage, intensity and sacrifice displayed by the late McKittrick, who coached with the 49ers for 21 years. It is voted on by the offensive line.
Thomas Herrion Memorial Award
Safety Malik Mustapha
Presented to the rookie or first-year player who represents the dream of Thomas Herrion, who passed away from heart disease after a preseason game in 2005. Voted on by coaches.
Ed Block Courage Award
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall
Each team selects one winner presented to a player who exemplified a commitment to sportsmanship and courage. Pearsall recovered from a gunshot wound in a robbery attempt on Aug. 31. Proceeds from the event fund Courage Houses in all 32 NFL cities which provide support and quality care for abused children. Voted on the 49ers’ training staff.
Perry/Yonamine Unity Award
LB Curtis Robinson
Presented to the player who exhibits a commitment to promoting unity within the team and their community and named for former 49ers and “pioneers of diversity” Joe Perry and Wally Yonamine. It is voted on by the players. Robinson previously was named as the 49ers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate for community involvement.
NUMBERS THAT MATTER
552: The number of snaps from Week 14 through the end of the season that the 49ers did not register a takeaway on defense.
436: The number of points the 49ers allowed in the 2024 season, one more than the 435 they gave up in a 16-game regular season in 2018.
57: The percentage of touchdowns scored on red zone possessions, down from 68 percent last season.
24: The number of rushing touchdowns allowed, tied with Carolina for the second most in the NFL. The 49ers gave up 10 rushing touchdowns in 2023.
17: The number of players that finished the season on injured reserve, as well as the number of takeaways recorded by the defense — the lowest total in the Shanahan era since getting seven in 2018.
10: The number of field goal attempts missed by Jake Moody in 34 attempts, including eight misses after a three-game stint on injured reserve for a high ankle sprain.
8: Where the 49ers stood in terms of NFL ranking for yardage allowed at 317.4.
4: The total touchdowns scored by Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk — all by Samuel. The trio combined for 40 touchdowns in 2023.
Minus-10: The 49ers’ final turnover differential, which was a minus-16 over the last eight games.
SNAP JUDGEMENTS
76: Rookie right guard Dominick Puni played every offensive snap and missed only one snap all season in Week 4 against New England. Left guard Nick Zakelj and quarterback Josh Dobbs also played every snap against the Cardinals.
64: In what could be his last game as a 49er with free agency looming, Charvarius Ward played all but one defensive snap. Also a career-high number of snaps for running back Patrick Taylor Jr., who rushed for a personal-best 109 yards.
52: Right tackle Colton McKivitz, who has battled knee issues for the past three weeks, was carted from the field with 7:11 remaining with a right ankle injury.
50: Rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing had his most extensive playing time on offense. He was targeted twice, caught both passes for 30 yards and was called for holding.
24: Defensive end Nick Bosa played the fewest snaps he has played this season in a game in which he wasn’t on the injury report.
