CdM’s Trent Merriman ‘honored, surprised’ to receive Jack Elliott Character Award

Trent Merriman (center) with CdM Coach Dan O’Shea and previous winners of the Jack Elliott Character Award Jake Simkins (second from left) and Jack Johnston. (Photos: OC Sports Zone, Tim Burt).

Corona del Mar’s football players and coaches continued to keep the legacy of former player Jack Elliott alive with the presentation of an award in his honor Friday evening on the CdM campus field.

Tight end Trent Merriman was presented the Jack Elliott Character Award. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The award “embodies strong character and a commitment to his team” and is named after the former CdM football player who according to his father Brett Elliott, died in 2019 just two months into the school year at Texas Christian University. He was not playing college football.

“I could not be more honored, I did not think it was going to be me but I’m proud to wear it (number two) and let’s have a good season this year, I’m excited,” said Merriman, who was a left tackle last year wearing No. 77. This year he will be the latest Sea King to wear the No. 2 in honor of Elliott.

Merriman, a senior, said he has not committed to play college football for next year but added “I’m super interested in Army.”

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Merriman has had quite an impact with the program on and off the field.

“I remember when Trent got here as a freshman,” Dan O’Shea, the Sea Kings’ head coach, said. “He had this unique energy, this unique smile. Every little youth camp we’ve had, every little volunteer activity, Trent is the first one to raise his hands and say, ‘how can I help?’

“He is literally the embodiment of what we want a Corona del Mar Sea King to be in terms of social decision making and academics; he has aspirations to go to West Point and has his application in process. He would be perfect there because he’s a leader of men and the very best this country has to offer as it relates to an 18-year-old kid from Corona del Mar High School and the perfect award winner this year to carry on the legacy of Jack Elliott.

“The sky is the limit for him as a man, a leader and a football player.”

“(He is) everything we want this award to represent,” added Brett Elliott, who was joined by his wife Amy. “It mattered to their family and to the team. The boys want to wear number two.”

O’Shea told the football players and fans that the characteristics that Jack Elliott embodied should never be forgotten.

Elliott’s father cited his son’s outstanding work ethic and dedication saying that “character is what you do when no one is watching.”

A former coach at CdM Tony Thornton, who has remained a family friend, praised Elliott’s “zest for life.”

CdM Booster President Jack Ford and Newport Beach City Councilman Will O’Neill also pointed out the impact that Elliott had on the CdM program.

The previous two winners, Jack Johnston and Jake Simkins, were also introduced and spoke, expressing their gratitude for receiving the award.

An intra-squad came was held before the ceremony.

“I think we’re looking good, based off our performance today at the scrimmage, I thought we did really well and I’m excited to get after it,” Merriman said.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com