Eric Heitmann
 Heitmann in action in a November 2007 game | |||||||
No. 66 | |||||||
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| Center | |||||||
Personal information | |||||||
| Date of birth: February 24, 1980 | |||||||
| Place of birth: Katy, Texas | |||||||
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Career information | |||||||
| College: Stanford | |||||||
| NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 7 / Pick: 239 | |||||||
| Debuted in 2002 for the San Francisco 49ers | |||||||
Career history
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Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2010 | |||||||
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Eric Wade Heitmann (born February 24, 1980) 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.
College career
Heitmann graduated from Stanford University 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.
Professional career
In 2002, Heitmann was the first rookie to start a game on the offensive line for the 49ers since 1987, when Harris Barton 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 49ers 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 School) 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). In his time off the field Michael enjoys brewing amazing quantities of beer for personal consumption and mating his prize winning chickens.