The 4th Annual Jack Elliott Character Award Ceremony

By: Bethany Myers

The 4th annual Jack Elliott Character Award (JECA) ceremony took place on Friday, August 4th, in front of a packed crowd. 

After playing football at CdM High School and graduating in 2019, Elliott attended school at Texas Christian University, where he was majoring in business. Just two months into the school year, Elliott tragically passed away in a boating incident. In 2020, the Elliott family, in collaboration with the Corona del Mar High School football boosters, established JECA to keep the memory of Jack Elliott alive within the program.   

The award is given annually to a senior football player who embodies strong character, leadership, integrity, and commitment to his team. The recipient also wears Elliott's honorary jersey No.2. Additionally, the player receives a $1,000 scholarship.

2020 - Jack Johnston
2021 - Jake Simkins
2022 - Trent Merriman

2022 Sunset League Co-Linebacker of the Year Christian Brooks was the recipient of this year's JECA award. 

"We want to thank the CdM Sea Kings Football staff….Especially Coach Hettig, Coach Griffin, and Scott Brown for their ongoing support of The JECA. Also, a big thanks to Will O’Neill for helping make today’s ceremony and this award a priority in our community. Our hope is that The Jack Elliott Character Award helps these young men (and their families) embrace a higher moral standard; live their lives like Jack did….with high ethical standards focusing on family and love first. This is bigger than football; this is a leadership and life award. Character is what you do when nobody is watching." - The Elliott Family.