The San Francisco 49ers have named cornerback Nate Clements as the Club’s 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year. The prestigious award, unique among NFL honors, recognizes a player for his community service activities as well as his play on the field.

Clements was signed to the 49ers in 2007 to bolster the 49ers defense. The seven-year NFL veteran from Ohio State has routinely shadowed the opponent’s top receiver and leads the team with 14 passes defensed. Clements is tied for the team lead with three interceptions and has shown to be a complete defender, notching 100 tackles and a team leading three forced fumbles on the season.

“This is a big transition for me, moving from Buffalo to San Francisco. I told myself that one of my goals is to get more involved in the community, as well as being an addition on the field. I stayed in a routine and it’s been fun being out in the community. It feels good to help others.”

Full Story: Clements Named 49ers Walter Payton Man of the Year – [49ers.com]

Cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker Patrick Willis were named co-winners of the team’s Bill Walsh Award.

Clements, in his first season with the team, has proven to be an impact performer both on and off the field. The seventh-year veteran from Ohio State has routinely shadowed the opponent’s top receiver and leads the team with 14 passes defensed. He is tied for the team lead with three interceptions and has shown to be a complete defender, notching 100 tackles and a team leading three forced fumbles on the season. Clements is also extremely active in the community, participating in a wide variety of outreach programs throughout the year.

The Bill Walsh Award was established in 2004 in honor of San Francisco’s Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh. Walsh served as the team’s head coach for ten seasons, from 1979-88. In that time, he compiled a record of 102-63-1 and led the team to three Super Bowls Championships. He was twice named Coach of the Year (1981, 1984) and was later named Coach of the Decade for the 1980s. The award, which is voted on by coaches only, is given to the 49ers team MVP, honoring his outstanding individual annual performance.

Full Story: 49ers Announce Team Awards – [.com]