This is my new home. I'm going to give it everything I have. The sign, which now stands as a street side along the entrance to the 49ers practice facility in Santa Clara, is a reminder of the principles of hard work, sacrifice and selflessness.
Willis was known as a dominant do-it-all, sideline-to-sideline linebacker. Throughout his career, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in , earned seven Pro Bowl nods, becoming the first player in franchise history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons and became the first player in 49ers history to be selected as an All-Pro in each of his first six seasons First Team - , ; Second Team - His ascending playing career came to an abrupt halt in Week 6 of the season.
He repetitively dealt with a nagging toe injury over the years that ultimately forced him to step away from football. On the heels that game, he underwent season-ending surgery on his left toe and announced his retirement the following spring. Just as vividly as Willis remembers his first time wearing his 49ers jersey in the spring of , he remembers that day in October of that decided his NFL career.
Louis Rams. I call it the last injury," Willis said. I'm happy today, more happy today than the day I was drafted. San Francisco is losing its defensive captain and locker room leader, the player who often addressed the team before games with inspirational pep talks. Willis isn't saying exactly what's next, perhaps a vacation, some speaking gigs, a day of fishing, slow mornings with a cup of coffee instead of an intense workout.
I've had the most amazing eight years of football of my life. I am so humbled to have had this opportunity. I've been so humbled to have played this game. Willis and friend NaVorro Bowman had made up one of the best linebacker punches in the NFL until both missed time last season, the entire season for Bowman as he recovered from reconstructive knee surgery.
The year-old Willis was sidelined with a strained muscle in his left big toe. He was placed on the season-ending injured reserve Nov. Louis on Oct. I no longer have in these feet to give you guys that kind of 'Wow. Late Monday, Willis posted on social media a message that hinted at his farewell from football and included a series of references to bible verses.
Patrick Willis may not have played as long as a lot of Hall-of-Fame linebackers, but he had their kind of impact. Willis was forced to retire after eight seasons due to a nagging toe injury that not even surgery could repair and an overall body breakdown that left him in his final season a player he neither recognized nor would condone. And to be sitting on the sideline just collecting a paycheck, I feel like that would be wrong.
So I stand up here today with that conviction. In those eight seasons, Patrick Willis went to seven Pro Bowls, was named first-team All-Pro five times in a row, was Defensive Rookie of the Year in and twice led the league in tackles.
To put such numbers in perspective, there are 29 linebackers enshrined in Canton. Drafted in the first round in , Willis had a crushing and immediate impact, making 11 tackles and forcing a fumble in his debut against the Arizona Cardinals. That season would not prove to be a fluke.
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