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San Francisco 49ers: A look back at Patrick Willis

By Robert Brewer

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Former San Francisco 49ers’ linebacker Patrick Willis announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, March 10. Injury issues eventually caught up to Willis as the star defender suited up for only six games in 2014. Willis underwent season-ending toe surgery to repair a nagging injury on his left big toe that he has been struggling with for several years.

Although it was initially believed that Willis could bounce back from this ailment, the 49ers’ star linebacker has decided to walk away from pro football as to not risk his long term health.

Willis played eight seasons of pro football, all of them as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. In his brief but stellar career, Willis was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a five-time first team All Pro selection, led the NFL in tackles in 2007 and 2009, and also captured NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2007.

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Willis began his NFL career as the 11th overall pick of the 2007 draft. This star studded draft class featured other future greats like Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and Darrelle Revis. Willis came into the league as a highly decorated collegiate player for the Mississippi Rebels. While at Ole’ Miss, Willis was a two-time All-American, the 2006 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and also the Dick Butkus Award winner in ’06.

In addition to having the physicality, instincts, and sideline to sideline speed necessary for the NFL level, the San Francisco 49ers were impressed with Willis’ tenacious work ethic, leadership skills, and desire to improve as a player. Willis’ outstanding skill set and unique intangibles immediately caught the eye of NFL legend and former 49ers’ coach Mike Singletary, who first worked with Willis during the 2oo7 Senior Bowl.

While still serving as head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Singletary spoke to the NFL Network about some of the similarities between Willis and his other prized linebacking pupil Ray Lewis. “(Willis) is very coachable, just like Ray (Lewis). They’re a gift and they want to learn as much as they can handle,” Singletary said. “Patrick comes to me everyday and says ‘coach, I just need more.'”

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) and inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) tackle Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway (88) during the first quarter at Levi

Despite Willis’ individual success early on in his NFL career, the San Francisco 49ers did not post a winning record in Willis’ first four seasons in the league. That all changed in 2011 when new head coach Jim Harbaugh guided the 49ers to a surprising 13-3 regular season record and a berth in the NFC Championship Game. Although San Francisco was defeated by the New York Giants, an incredible nucleus was starting to form around Willis on the defensive side of the ball.

Along with fellow All-Pros NaVorro Bowman and Justin Smith, the 49ers’ defense boasted a total of five Pro Bowlers on defense alone in 2011. Defensive terror Aldon Smith was added to the mix in 2012 and San Francisco now had a total of six Pro Bowlers on their defense. The 49ers made a bold change at quarterback midway through the 2012 season and rode second-year passer Colin Kaepernick all the way to Super Bowl XLVII. It was the first time in 18 years that the San Francisco 49ers had appeared in the Super Bowl.

By 2013, Willis’ production took a noticeable dip as he was no longer playing at his customary All-Pro level. The younger Bowman outproduced Willis in every major statistical category. Nonetheless, Willis was still playing at a Pro Bowl level and helped contribute to a 12-4 regular season for the 49ers.

Unfortunately for Willis and his San Francisco teammates, the 49ers’ 2013 playoff run was cut short after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the closing seconds of the NFC Championship Game. Outspoken Seattle defender Richard Sherman deflected an end zone pass intended for Michael Crabtree and was intercepted by Seahawks’ linebacker Malcolm Smith.

We usually think of quarterbacks as franchise players, but the San Francisco 49ers were able to find a franchise player on defense to build around and win with. Patrick Willis was the consummate team player that played a key role in dragging his franchise out of its doldrums and put the 49ers back on the NFL landscape.

Today’s NFL players are often criticized for their off-the-field transgressions and overall sense of entitlement. However, the career of Patrick Willis is a shining example that an old school work ethic and lunch pale mentality still exists among the football stars of today.

Next: Why is Patrick Willis retiring?

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