49ers WR Kendrick Bourne chats Bourne Blessed Autism Foundation with Niner Noise
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne took some time this offseason to connect with his fans and promote his Bourne Blessed Autism Foundation, also chatting with Niner Noise in the process.
Last Saturday, in a bowling alley nestled in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, a familiar face made an appearance. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne returned home to Portland, where he grew up, to sign autographs and interact with his fans.
Bourne attended high school at Milwaukie Arts Academy in the greater Portland area and then went onto play at Eastern Washington University. He signed with the 49ers in 2017 as an undrafted free agent.
49ers fans from Portland and the surrounding areas arrived Saturday night for the chance to meet with the hometown hero. Many fans brought their families along, and Bourne obliged them happily signing autographs and taking pictures with the children as well as adults.
Great meeting @BournePoly11 and his family tonight at an event for his Bourne Blessed Autism Foundation. Great event, full of wonderful people! #GoNiners #Blessed pic.twitter.com/oCIxshpAkz
— Safa (The Armchair Quarterback) (@realarmchairqb) March 1, 2020
But the event was not just a meet and greet with the wide receiver. It was also a chance for Bourne to promote his Bourne Blessed Autism Foundation. Autism is a cause that is very close to his heart. When asked about what inspired the foundation he answered, “my uncles.”
Fans may remember the “My Cause My Cleats” campaign during the 2019 NFL season. Bourne represented Autism Speaks with his cleats. And it was noted he was honoring his uncles with them.
Signed items, such as game-worn gloves, cleats, helmets and t-shirts were raffled off. The proceeds of those raffle tickets all went to the Bourne Blessed Autism Foundation. When asked what he hopes to achieve with the foundation he says, “I want to bring awareness.”
This is especially important in trying to help children affected by autism.
He wants to do whatever he can to help to accomplish that goal whether that be promoting his own foundation or being involved with other organizations such as the Special Olympics.
Bourne appeared in all 16 regular-season games and three playoff games for the 49ers in 2019. He finished the 2019 regular season with 30 receptions for 358 yards receiving and five touchdowns. But the stat that really stands out for him lies in the context behind those five touchdowns.
Bourne was targeted six times in the red zone this past season and converted five of those into receptions. In addition, all five of those receptions were converted into touchdowns. Red-zone efficiency was his strength as he was always a dependable target for San Francisco inside the 20-yard line.
March 18 is the first day of free agency for the 2020 NFL season. And 49ers will get to work that day trying to re-sign many of the players who helped them reach their first Super Bowl in seven years.
Bourne will be one of those players as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
Bourne hopes to be back to the 49ers for another season. He believes he finished the season strong and the numbers support that he was a reliable target when it came to moving the chains and scoring touchdowns.
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He has great optimism for the 49ers and what he personally hopes to accomplish down the road.
“The future is bright,” he remarked in closing with a grin on his face.
Bourne will be promoting his foundation even further, which you’ll be able to access via his website.