PHOTOS: CdM linebacker ‘so honored’ to receive annual Jack Elliott Character Award

Christian Brooks (No. 2) is joined by Jake Simkins (left), Coach Kevin Hettig and Trent Merriman (far right) after Friday’s presentation of the Jack Elliott Character Award. (Photos: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Corona del Mar High School’s football team continued to honor a former beloved Sea King football player, selecting senior linebacker Christian Brooks as the winner of the Jack Elliott Character Award Friday evening.

Hundreds of CdM fans cheered as Brooks was introduced at the CdM Athletic Complex on campus and given the number two jersey won by last year’s recipient Trent Merriman. Jack Elliott, a standout player for the Sea Kings, wore number two on his jersey at CdM.

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

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“I’m so honored for this,” Brooks said in an interview. “I know what it represents, great character and integrity and I pride myself on integrity and value and all those attributes. I know people who knew Jack and I heard great things about him and what a great guy he was. I’m trying to be the best person I can be every day.”

Brooks received a $1,000 scholarship from Elliott family.

“If I get a scholarship to play football, I will consider that. But I’m mainly interested in going into the military,” he said.

The 6-1, 205-pound Brooks said he has two goals this season: “to beat (Newport) Harbor and win a state championship.”

First-year CdM coach Kevin Hettig (former associate head coach for the Sea Kings) told the spectators and hundreds of players from all the CdM levels that the award “is going to last longer than any of us here. The 2023 winner loves his teammates, puts his teammates first, cares about the program and loves the program and works as hard as anybody.”

Hettig, who has carried on the tradition started by former CdM coach Dan O’Shea, added in an interview:

“Christian happens to be a really good football player too. But this has nothing to do with the football side of it. Christian is a leader of this team. He genuinely cares about his teammates and puts them in front of himself. He’s the epitome of what this sport is about, he demonstrates integrity, accountability and toughness and embraces adversity and overcomes it over and over again.”

CdM football booster president Scott Brown said the award represents everything that Jack Elliott stood for including “integrity, compassion and hard work.”

Mayor Pro Tem Will O’Neal also emphasized the impact that Elliott had on the program and wished the Sea Kings well this season.

Jack Elliott’s father said he was “grateful for the love and support” of the CdM program since the death of his son.

“I know Jack is looking down with a big smile,” he said.

Previous recipients Merriman (2022) and Jake Simkins (2021) were also on hand. Jack Johnston was the initial winner from 2020.

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