The San Francisco 49ers chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America presents a player each season with the Garry Niver Award, which goes to the individual who best represents professionalism and cooperation with the media.
Last year, the award went to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. This year, veteran tackle Joe Staley was the recipient. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area presented the award on Wednesday.
Staley wasn't sure if he won the award or not, thinking it might be a joke by the media.
"It took 12 years," Staley joked during the presentation. "You guys finally like me."
The 49ers made Staley the No. 28 overall draft pick out of Central Michigan in 2007. He has been selected to six Pro Bowls over his 12-year career and has played in each game this season.
"Joe is awesome," quarterback Nick Mullens said on Wednesday. "You never know what you're going to get. He's got a very dynamic personality, but he's a great role model and a great leader for the locker room. He has guided me along very well."
Staley plans to play at least one more season. He agreed to a reworked contract in April, receiving a pay bump from $10.97 million over the next two years to $17.4 million over the same timeframe. The new deal did not add any years to the contract, which still runs through the 2019 season.
"After that, it'll be my decision," Staley said earlier this month.
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