Eric Heitmann life and biography

Eric Heitmann has been a main­stay on the 49ers offensive line since being drafted in the 7th round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Admired by his teammates for his leadership, Heitmann earned the Bobb McKittrick Award for three straight years (2006- 08). In 2007, Heitmann won the Ed Block Courage Award after returning from a broken leg suffered late in the 2006 season. After lining up at both guard positions early in his career, Heitmann moved to center for the final 6 games of the 2005 season and has remained there since. He was the first 49ers rookie to start a game on the offensive line since 1987 when T Harris Barton started at right tackle.

TRANSACTIONS:
Originally the first of two 7th-round (239th pick overall) draft choices by SF in 2002.

GOLDMINE:
•At the age of 5, Eric started playing the piano. By the time he was 8, he could play Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Piano Man.” At 11, he composed his first original piece while beginning to balance playing piano and football. In 2006, Eric visited Fantasy Studios in Berkeley to meet with renowned composer Gary Malkin. The day began with a tour of Fantasy Stu­dios, including a stop in the recording studio where music and movie visuals come together on screen. As a “homework assignment,” Eric was given a video for a commercial that Malkin scored which was played at the Summer Olympics. Eric, in turn, composed a musical score that fit the athletes and emotions in the piece.

AWARDS & HONORS:
2006: Bobb McKittrick Award
2007: Ed Block Courage Award, Bobb McKittrick Award
2008: Bobb McKittrick Award, Garry Niver Award

2009:
•Started every game at center.
•In his 100th career start, helped the team rush for a season-high 246 yds. vs. Sea. (9/20).
•Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on QB Alex Smith on any of his 41 attempts vs. Jax (11/29), marking the first time the 49ers did not give up a sack since 11/10/08, at Arz. (QB Shaun Hill – 40 attempts).

2008:
•Started all 16 games at center and earned the Bobb McKittrick Award for the third consecutive season.
•Only missed one series during the entire season, leaving the game briefly vs. Arz. (9/7) with a shoulder injury.

2007:
•Started all 16 games at center after breaking his leg late in the 2006 season. Won the Ed Block Courage Award for his courageous return from the difficult injury.
•Was one of only 35 NFL players to line up for every snap during season.

2006:
•Started at center for first 14 games of season before suffering a broken leg in 1st qtr. at Sea. (12/14), finishing season on Injured Reserve after under­going surgery to repair the injury following the game.
•His blocking helped RB Frank Gore finish with a franchise-record and NFC-best 1,695 yds. rushing, as well as his 9 100-yd. games.
•In 49ers 20-14 win vs. Sea. (11/19), helped team gain 262 yds. on the ground, including a franchise record 212 yds. rushing by Gore. Gore, who earned a game ball for his efforts, in turn gave game balls to his offensive linemen.

2005:
•Started in all 16 games, including 10 starts at RG and 6 at center.
•Played center in preseason for injured Jeremy Newberry (knee) before mov­ing back to RG for majority of 2005 campaign.
•Started at center at Ten. (11/27) when Newberry was placed on IR, and stayed there remainder of season. Rookie David Baas shifted into Heit­mann’s post at right guard.

2004:
•Started all 16 games at left guard.
•Helped offense generate 448 total yds. vs. Arz. (10/10). Held sturdy up front to aid TE Eric Johnson’s 162 receiving yds. and 2 TDs.

2003:
•Played in 9 games with 8 starts, missing 7 contests with injuries to both ankles.
•Suffered right ankle injury at Sea. (10/12) and later a left ankle injury vs. StL (11/2). Inactive Weeks 11-12.

2002:
•Played in every regular season game with 12 starts in addition to starting both postseason contests.
•Helped limit opponents to 22 sacks, 3rd fewest in NFL.
•Replaced injured G Dave Fiore (knee) vs. Was. (9/22) and made first career start at LG vs. StL (10/6).
•Helped hold Giants defense without a sack vs. NYG (1/5/03) in NFC Wild Card Game.
•Started at LG at TB (1/12/03) in NFC Divisional Playoff Game.

COLLEGE:
•Started 34 consecutive contests in four seasons at Stanford, earning All- Pac 10 honors three times. Anchored line at RG for three seasons and did not allow a sack in final two years. First-team All-America choice by The NFL Draft Report, Football News and American Football Coaches Associa­tion. Added second-team honors from The Sporting News and All-Pac-10 first-team honors. Started every game at LG, collecting 95 key blocks/ knockdowns as senior and assisted offense in totaling 451.5 yds. per game. Second-team All-Pac-10 selection as junior and started every game at LG.

PERSONAL:
•Consensus All-America selection at Katy (TX) HS, and a first-team all-dis­trict, All-Greater Houston and all-state choice senior season, adding first-team all-district as a junior.
•Member of National Honor Society.
•Also participated in track.
•Born Eric Wade Heitmann (2/24/80) in Katy, TX. Married to Emily. Couple splits time between Palo Alto, CA, and Austin, TX.
•Earned a degree in public policy.

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