San Francisco 49ers: Early Team-Award Predictions for 2016 Season
The Len Eshmont Award
Len Eshmont was an original member of the 49ers inaugural team in 1946. He coached at Navy and Virginia after he played. The Len Eshmont Award is the 49ers most prestigious award and was established in 1957, after Eshmont had passed. It is given annually, as voted on by the players, to the one player who most carries on the inspirational and courageous play of Eshmont.
And the 2016 Len Eshmont Award goes to…
Wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Following in his “big brother’s” footsteps, since being drafted in 2011, has been one of Torrey Smith’s best tools at learning how to be a pro in the NFL. He’s looked up to Anquan Boldin and modeled his game after him. Boldin was one of the biggest reasons Smith joined the 49ers on a five-year, $40 million dollar contract in 2015.
Taylor Price of 49ers.com wrote the perfect article to describe Smith and Boldin’s relationship.
Boldin had these great things to say about Smith in the article:
“We’re about to play the Patriots and I got call first thing that morning,” Boldin said. “It was (Ravens coach) John Harbaugh. He had told me that Torrey just lost his brother. For me, that was shocking because I was close with Torrey. It’s one of those things where you don’t know what to say. I was just in shock.
“We had a night game that day, and I got that call first thing in the morning. It woke me up. I texted him to see how he was doing and to see how his family was doing. I had no idea that he would be thinking about football, let alone thinking about playing that night. But, it just so happened he played that night and had a great game against the Patriots – caught two touchdowns. It just goes to show what kind of person he is. He wanted to be out there for us. He felt like if he hadn’t been out there with the team, he would have let us down. It speaks a lot to his character.”
“I think they’re getting a great person as well as a great football player,” Boldin said. “He definitely does a lot for his community. It’s where his heart is. Him and his wife Chanel, I think they do a great job of partnering with people in the community. I think besides being a good football player, the 49ers are getting someone who really cares about people and really gives back.”
The first part testifies to Smith’s will, the second to his heart. It’s these qualities that I think bring inspiration and courage, from Smith, to the rest of the team. That 71-yard overtime touchdown, in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears, helps too. Smith has a great support system and works hard on and off the field.
With Boldin being the Len Eshmont Award Recipient for 2015, Smith, who learned so much from Boldin, will probably be next year’s recipient for San Francisco.
Maybe Smith can earn Walter Payton Man of the Year too, just like his big brother Boldin!
Next: The Thomas Herrion Award