Len Eshmont

Leonard Charles Eshmont (August 26, 1917 – May 12, 1957) was an American football running back and defensive back for the New York Giants of the National Football League, and the San Francisco 49ers of the All-America Football Conference. He was drafted out of Fordham University by the New York Giants in the 1941 NFL Draft, and played one season for the Giants before entering the service in World War II. After the war he played four seasons with the Niners before retiring.

After retiring as a player, Eshmont coached at Navy and Virginia.

Eshmont died in 1957 of infectious hepatitis. That same year the 49ers created The Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers most prestigious annual honor, which is given to the Niner who best exemplifies the "inspirational and courageous play" of Len Eshmont, a player from the original 1946 Forty Niners team.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EshmLe20.htm