Eric Heitmann
Encyclopedia
Eric Wade Heitmann is a center
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 7th round (239th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft
.
where he was voted first team All-American following the 2001 season. He played guard for his entire tenure as a Cardinal
, and he was a three time All-Pac 10 selection. Heitmann became the first Stanford offensive lineman voted All-American since Bob Whitfield
in 1992.
started at right tackle. He finished the 2002 season starting 12 games, including two playoff contests. He switched to center
in the absence of regular center Jeremy Newberry
. After an injury-plagued 2003 season, he started all 16 games in 2004.
Prior to the 2005 season, he worked to get stronger and more powerful under the tutelage of renowned strength coach Johnny Parker. His work paid off early in minicamps, and the 49ers signed him to a 4-year extension in June 2005. He started in all 16 games including 10 at right guard and six at center during the 2005 season.
Heitmann was converted to full-time center for the 2006 season. However, on December 14, in a game against the Seattle Seahawks, Heitmann broke his right tibia with 6:13 left in the first quarter on a two-yard run by Frank Gore. Heitmann was down on the field for several minutes before being taken to the locker room on a cart. He consequently had surgery on his knee and finished the 2006 season on injured reserve
after having started the first 14 games. For his dedication and commitment, Heitmann was given the Bobb McKittrick
award, named after the late 49ers offensive line coach.
In 2007, Heitmann proved that he successfully recovered from his injury, as he once again started all 16 games at center.
He was released from the San Francisco 49'ers on July 29, 2011.
) born to his parents, Mike, a veterinarian, and Carolyn, a registered nurse. His brother Michael also played football for the winless Magnolia Gladiators ('11-'11).
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 7th round (239th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
.
College career
Heitmann graduated from Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
where he was voted first team All-American following the 2001 season. He played guard for his entire tenure as a Cardinal
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, and he was a three time All-Pac 10 selection. Heitmann became the first Stanford offensive lineman voted All-American since Bob Whitfield
Bob Whitfield
Bob Lectress Whitfield III is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League.-Early career:...
in 1992.
Professional career
In 2002, Heitmann was the first rookie to start a game on the offensive line for the 49ers since 1987, when Harris BartonHarris Barton
Harris Scott Barton is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the San Francisco 49ers.-Early life:...
started at right tackle. He finished the 2002 season starting 12 games, including two playoff contests. He switched to center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
in the absence of regular center Jeremy Newberry
Jeremy Newberry
Jeremy David Newberry is a former Center in the National Football League . He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
. After an injury-plagued 2003 season, he started all 16 games in 2004.
Prior to the 2005 season, he worked to get stronger and more powerful under the tutelage of renowned strength coach Johnny Parker. His work paid off early in minicamps, and the 49ers signed him to a 4-year extension in June 2005. He started in all 16 games including 10 at right guard and six at center during the 2005 season.
Heitmann was converted to full-time center for the 2006 season. However, on December 14, in a game against the Seattle Seahawks, Heitmann broke his right tibia with 6:13 left in the first quarter on a two-yard run by Frank Gore. Heitmann was down on the field for several minutes before being taken to the locker room on a cart. He consequently had surgery on his knee and finished the 2006 season on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
after having started the first 14 games. For his dedication and commitment, Heitmann was given the Bobb McKittrick
Bobb McKittrick
Bobb McKittrick was an American football offensive line coach in the National Football League who coached in five Super Bowls.-Playing career:...
award, named after the late 49ers offensive line coach.
In 2007, Heitmann proved that he successfully recovered from his injury, as he once again started all 16 games at center.
He was released from the San Francisco 49'ers on July 29, 2011.
Personal
Heitmann graduated from Stanford with a degree in public policy and splits time between Redwood City, CA and Austin, TX with his wife, Emily. Eric is also very gifted musically and plays concert piano, as well as composing his own music. He is the third of four sons (all football players at the powerhouse Katy High SchoolKaty High School
Katy High School is a high school located in Katy, Texas, United States and serves grades 9 through 12. It is a part of the Katy Independent School District...
) born to his parents, Mike, a veterinarian, and Carolyn, a registered nurse. His brother Michael also played football for the winless Magnolia Gladiators ('11-'11).