Brock Purdy has won the respect and admiration of his teammates in his first full season as the 49ers’ starting
quarterback.
Purdy’s teammates elected him the winner of the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers revealed on Tuesday. It is the most
prestigious team award that players vote on, and it is given to the 49er who most symbolizes its namesake’s
inspirational and courageous play.
As the 49ers packed away their lockers in Santa Clara, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Purdy had a
“unbelievable” season, concluding the 2023 NFL regular season with the team passing yards record and guiding San
Francisco to Super Bowl LVIII.
While the 49ers fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs, Purdy’s comeback from a torn UCL in January to NFC
champion was a spectacular accomplishment by the 2022 NFL Draft’s final choice.
“But I mean, players voted him as our Len Eshmont Award winner,” Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday. “That
explains how those guys felt about him. And we’re thrilled with Brock.”
In addition to Purdy, the 49ers announced a few more team award recipients:
The Bill Walsh Award was established in 2004 to commemorate San Francisco’s Hall of Fame coach. The coaching
staff votes on the award, which is given to the 49er who best represents Walsh’s standard of professional excellence.
The Bobb McKittrick Award is given yearly to the 49ers offensive lineman who most exemplifies the long-time
offensive line coach’s daring, intensity, and commitment. The 49ers instituted the honor in 1999, and the offensive
line votes on it.
The Hazeltine Iron Man Award is named after former linebacker Matt Hazeltine, who spent more time at linebacker
than any other 49ers player, with 13 seasons. Bill Walsh founded the prize in Hazeltine’s honor in 1987, after the
latter died of ALS. The award is given annually to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player, as
determined by the defensive coaches.
