Patrick L. Willis (born January 25, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, earning consensus All-American honors in 2006 and was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. Willis is regarded as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
During Willis's 2006 senior season at Ole Miss, he received the collegiate version of the Butkus Award and the Jack Lambert Award as the nation's top linebacker. A year later as a member of the 49ers, Willis led the NFL in tackles, earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while being named the 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Willis made the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons and earned All-Pro honors in his first six years in the NFL. He won the professional version of the Butkus Award while with the 49ers in 2009. His career accomplishments culminated with Willis being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
Early life
Born in Bruceton, Tennessee, Willis grew up in abject poverty and had to take care of his younger siblings. By the age of 10, he worked full-time in cotton fields.[1] At age 17, he left his home, a double-wide in a trailer park just outside Bruceton, with his brothers, Orey and Detris, and sister, Ernicka, when his alcoholic father turned increasingly violent.[2] The siblings moved in with Willis's high school basketball coach.
Willis attended Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School,[3] where he was a two-time All-State selection, Regional Most Valuable Player, and West Tennessee Player of the Year. He earned four letters in football and basketball, and three in baseball. He was also the first person in Tennessee state history to be nominated for both the Mr. Football Award for a Lineman (as a linebacker) and the Mr. Football Award for a Back (as a tailback) in the same season.
Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Willis was listed as the No. 60 linebacker prospect in the class of 2003.[4] He chose Ole Miss over Memphis.
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Willis LB |
Bruceton, Tennessee | Central HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | 4.6 | Jul 8, 2003 |
Recruit ratings: Scout:  Rivals:  | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: Scout: 32 (college recruiting) Rivals: 60 (LB); 38 (college recruiting) | ||||||
Sources:
| ||||||
College career
Willis attended the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss"), and played for the Ole Miss Rebels football team from 2003 to 2006. As a freshman at Ole Miss, Willis played in all 13 games and made 20 stops. He received the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Ole Miss chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
As a sophomore in 2004, he appeared in 10 of 11 games and earned honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors from the Associated Press. He recorded 70 tackles (54 solo), and led the team with 11.0 tackles for a loss and five sacks.
In Willis's 2005 junior campaign, he led the SEC in total tackles at 12.80 per game, which placed him sixth nationally. He finished season with 128 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Willis was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com and Scout.com. He was also named as a first-team All-American by College Football News and the All-American Football Foundation. Willis earned first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, SEC Coaches, CollegeFootballNews.com and Rivals.com.[6]
During Willis's last collegiate year in 2006, he led the SEC in tackles once again with 11.4 per game and collected 137 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, seven passes deflected, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was awarded SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and consensus first-team All-American.[7] He was the winner of the Jack Lambert Award and the prestigious Dick Butkus Award, given to the most outstanding linebacker in college football. He also won the Conerly Trophy, voted upon by the media in Mississippi and awarded to the best college football player in Mississippi. In addition, he was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award and semi-finalist for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy.[8]
Awards and honors
- 2× First-team All-SEC (2005, 2006)
- 2× All-American (2005, 2006)
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2006)[9]
- Butkus Award (2006)[10]
- Jack Lambert Trophy (2006)[11]
- Conerly Trophy (2006)[12]
- College Football Hall of Fame - inducted in 2019[13]
Professional career
Pre-draft
Originally regarded as a late-first to early-second round draft pick,[14] Willis improved his draft stock with an impressive performance at the NFL Combine; his 4.56 40-yard dash[15][16][17] was one of the fastest among linebackers. He also posted a 39-inch vertical jump and recorded 22 repetitions of the 225-lb. bench press. Willis clocked in at 4.38 seconds for his 40-yard dash during his University of Mississippi pro-day workout.[18] Analysts of The Sporting News compared him to Jeremiah Trotter.[19] Willis also earned South Team Defensive MVP honors at the 2007 Senior Bowl.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+1⁄8 in (1.86 m) | 242 lb (110 kg) | 34 in (0.86 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 4.56 s | 1.61 s | 2.68 s | 4.46 s | 7.23 s | 39 in (0.99 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | 22 reps | 12 |
| All values from the 2007 NFL Combine[20][17][21] | ||||||||||||
2007
"I've coached two of the greatest linebackers—one that has already proven to be one of the greatest and one who will prove to be."
Willis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round with the 11th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, re-uniting him with the staff that coached his South Squad at the 2007 Senior Bowl.[23] He signed a seven-year, $53.51 million contract with the 49ers in the 2010 season.[24]
Willis was coached directly by Hall of Fame middle-linebacker/coach Mike Singletary (who later became 49ers head coach), and eventually started at inside linebacker, specifically the "Mike" position, in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. In his first NFL game, Willis recorded 11 tackles, including 9 solo, and a forced fumble as the 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in dramatic fashion by a score of 20–17. For his effort, he won the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award. One of Willis's strongest performances came against the Minnesota Vikings, as he led the 49ers defense in containing Offensive Rookie of the Year, Adrian Peterson, who managed just 3 yards on 14 carries. Willis's most impressive statistical performance came in week 16 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this game he recorded 20 total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass deflected in a 21–19 victory, earning Rookie of the Week honors for the fourth time. In addition to receiving the award in weeks 1 and 16, Willis took home the award in weeks 2 and 12. He was also awarded the GMC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
In a game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 25, Willis ran down wide receiver Sean Morey after a 62-yard, catch-and-run for the game-saving tackle in overtime. The 49ers eventually won 37–31.[22]
Willis finished the 2007 campaign with an NFL-leading 174 total tackles, along with four sacks, two forced fumbles, and five passes deflected.[25] According to the 49ers, however, he is unofficially credited with over 200 tackles during that season. As a result, Willis was one of two 49ers selected to the Pro Bowl along with punter Andy Lee. Other honors earned at the conclusion of his first professional season included being named AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-Pro, and NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year. He was the only rookie in the NFL to make the AP All-Pro squad and the first defensive rookie from the 49ers to make the Pro Bowl since Ronnie Lott in 1981.[26] His season was capped by being named one of ESPN The Magazine's "NEXT" athletes of 2008, alongside Yankee Joba Chamberlain and Trail Blazer Brandon Roy.
2008
In his second NFL season, Willis scored his first career NFL touchdown against Seattle, returning an interception for 86 yards.[27] In Week 5, he had 18 total tackles (14 solo) and one sack against the Patriots.[28] On December 16, during another dominating season with the 49ers, Willis was named the starting inside linebacker for the NFC Pro Bowl team. In just two seasons, he established himself as one of the top linebackers in the NFL.[29] He finished the 2008 season with one sack, 141 total tackles (109 solo), one interception, ten passes defended, one forced fumble, and fumble recovery.[30]
At the end of the year, Willis finished second in tackles and was voted to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, this time as a starter.[31] He was also voted second-team All-Pro, barely missing the first team as Jon Beason of Carolina Panthers collected one more vote than Willis.[32][33]
2009
Willis started the season strong in the opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He recorded 14 tackles and an interception in a 20–16 win in Arizona.[34] He also had a productive game in week 4 against St. Louis finishing with 8 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception return for a 23-yard touchdown.[35]
The biggest improvement in his game from the previous year was the increased sideline-to-sideline range. Willis made 54 tackles on plays labeled as "Wide left" or "Wide right" which accounted for 35.5% of his total tackles. In that area, he led all inside linebackers by a large margin. He was also the league leader in impact plays with a total of 27.[36]
At the end of the year, Willis accumulated an NFL-leading 152 tackles along with four sacks, three forced fumbles, eight pass deflections and three interceptions.[37] He has now led the league in tackles in two of his first three seasons. Willis also earned first-team All-Pro receiving 49/50 votes from the AP and was voted to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.[38][39] However, shortly before the Pro Bowl, which was set in South Florida, Willis decided to play it safe and opted not to play due to a leg injury he sustained. He stayed in South Florida for the game and stood on the sideline in support of the NFC team and 49er teammates Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Justin Smith and Andy Lee.[40]
Willis was named the 2009 NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, an award voted on by past NFL linebackers.[41] Willis also became the second NFL player to win the Butkus Award since it was expanded in 2008 to include high school and professional winners in part to help end anabolic steroid abuse among young athletes.[42]
2010
On May 4, Willis signed a five-year contract extension worth $50 million, with $29 million in guaranteed money making him the highest paid inside linebacker in the NFL.[43]
In 2010, Willis strengthened a dimension of his game, totaling a career-high 6.0 sacks with 128 total tackles (101 solo) and five passes defended.[44] He played through the season with several injuries, playing a game against the San Diego Chargers with a cast on his broken hand. Willis was ruled out for week 17 after undergoing a second surgery on his broken right hand.[45] It was the first time that Willis had ever missed a game in his career. Willis had also made a habit of making it to the Pro Bowl. He had gone all four seasons of his NFL career and even with his tackle numbers down (largely due to offenses scheming against him), Willis still finished with the second-most fan votes for inside linebackers in the entire NFL.[46] He joined Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott as only 49ers to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of their first four seasons.[47]
Willis also earned first-team All-Pro from the Associated Press alongside Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots.[48] For the third time in his career, and the second year in a row, he was named Linebacker of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association.[49] He was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[50]
2011
Before the start of the 2011 season, Willis ran away from the field in the voting for the NFL's best linebacker on ESPN.com. "Nobody in the NFL plays their position better than Patrick Willis, and that is saying a lot," said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. "He is as good a linebacker as Peyton Manning is a quarterback, as Andre Johnson is a receiver, as Adrian Peterson is a running back. He has no weaknesses."[51] Even 12-time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis, the dominant linebacker of his era, pointed to Willis as a worthy successor to his undisputed reign. ESPN's Dana Jacobson asked Lewis which young linebacker reminded him of himself. "I just love the way he plays the game," Lewis said. "He plays the game with a fire. He reminds me of myself—a lot, a lot, a lot."[52] Willis also came in fourth in an ESPN expert vote for the NFL's 10 best defensive players, finishing only behind 2010 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Troy Polamalu, DeMarcus Ware, and Darrelle Revis.[citation needed]
In Week 5, Willis had 12 total tackles and a pass defended in a 48–3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[53] He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[54] In the 2011 season, Willis led a top ranked 49ers defense which set an NFL single season record of not allowing a rushing touchdown until week 16. The previous record was held by the 1920 Decatur Staleys, who did not allow a rushing touchdown in a 13-game season.[55] The 49ers' stingy defense ranked fourth overall and played a huge role in the 49ers finishing with a 13–3 record. This also marked the first time since 2002 the 49ers were division champs and back in the playoffs.[56]
During a game against the St. Louis Rams in week 13, Willis landed awkwardly after missing a tackle and injured his right hamstring.[57] Despite missing nearly four games due to the hamstring injury, Willis finished the season with 97 tackles along with two sacks, four forced fumbles, 12 pass deflections and an interception. He also improved his game significantly in coverage recording a career-high 12 pass deflections.[58] Willis was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl and becomes the first player in franchise history to make five Pro Bowl appearances to start a career.[59] In addition, he earned first-team All-Pro from the Associated Press for the third consecutive year.[60] He was ranked tenth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[61]
2012
In Week 4 of the 2012 season, Willis had ten total tackles and one interception against the New York Jets in a 34–0 victory.[62] He won NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[63] He was named to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl and was named as a first team All-Pro the fifth time.[64][65] During the 2012 season, Willis had 120 combined tackles, two forced fumbles (one recovery), two interceptions, nine passes defended, and 0.5 sacks.[66] He led the 49ers into the postseason for a second straight year. Willis recorded ten combined tackles as the 49ers lost Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 34–31.[67] Willis had 29 combined tackles and a sack during the 2012 postseason. He was ranked tenth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[68]
2013
On August 5, 2013, Willis underwent surgery to repair a fractured hand he suffered during training camp.[69] He started the first three games of the season, but then had a groin injury in week 3. He would then miss the next two games. However, in a game against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded 18 tackles.[70] He ended the 2013 season with 104 total tackles (82 solo).[71] He was named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl.[72] He was ranked 27th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.[73]
2014
Willis played in six games of the 2014 season hampered by a nagging toe injury.[74] He made the decision to end his season on November 11 and undergo season-ending surgery on his nagging left big toe, which bothered him for several previous seasons. The 49ers placed Willis on the injured reserve list soon after the surgery.[75]
After struggling with a toe injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2014, Willis announced his retirement on March 10, 2015.[76][77]
Hall of Fame
On February 8, 2024, Willis was selected to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in his fifth year of eligibility and second year as a finalist.[78] Former NFL player Bryant Young came up to Willis' home and knocked on the door to announce the news.[79]
NFL career statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | FF | FR | TD | ||
| 2007 | SF | 16 | 16 | 174 | 135 | 39 | 4.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | SF | 16 | 16 | 141 | 109 | 32 | 1.0 | 10 | 1 | 86 | 86T | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | SF | 16 | 16 | 152 | 114 | 38 | 4.0 | 8 | 3 | 33 | 23T | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | SF | 15 | 15 | 128 | 101 | 27 | 6.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | SF | 13 | 13 | 97 | 74 | 23 | 2.0 | 12 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | SF | 16 | 16 | 120 | 88 | 32 | 0.5 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | SF | 14 | 14 | 104 | 82 | 22 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | SF | 6 | 6 | 34 | 29 | 5 | 0.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 112 | 112 | 950 | 732 | 218 | 20.5 | 53 | 8 | 131 | 86 | 2 | 16 | 5 | 0 | |
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | FF | FR | TD | ||
| 2011 | SF | 2 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | SF | 3 | 3 | 29 | 26 | 3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | SF | 3 | 3 | 26 | 18 | 8 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 8 | 8 | 71 | 60 | 11 | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Awards and honors
NFL
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2007)
- 5× First-team All-Pro (2007, 2009–2012)
- Second-team All-Pro (2008)
- 7× Pro Bowl (2007–2013)
- 2× NFL tackles leader (2007, 2009)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007)
- Butkus Award (pro) (2009)
- San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2024)
College
- Butkus Award (college) (2006)
- Jack Lambert Trophy (2006)
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2006)
- 2× First-team All-American (2005, 2006)
- 2× First-team All-SEC (2005, 2006)
Personal life
Willis was separated from his biological father at the age of 17, with his mother leaving him when he was a child, and along with his three siblings moved in with his parental guardians, Willis' high school basketball coach, Chris Finley, and his wife, Julie.[80] Willis's brother, Detris, drowned in 2006 while swimming with his friends.[81][82] His uncle, Arthur Willis, was a professional super middleweight boxer who later fought future world champion James Toney to a split decision.[83][84]
He holds a degree in criminal justice and envisions a future in law enforcement.[85] Willis is a Christian. Willis says his grandmother told him about Jesus. Willis talks about his faith when he plays saying, "No matter the outcome of a game, my No. 1 goal is to glorify God. I always pray, 'Lord, I don't know what today's game is going to be like, but I pray that you bless me to go out here and play for you. Be a soldier for your army, go out here and lead this team the way you want me to lead it.'"[86][87]
References
- ↑ Schultz, Jordan (July 7, 2014). "A Troubled Childhood Shaped Patrick Willis Into A Forgiving Adult And An NFL Powerhouse". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ↑ Lynch, Kevin (September 19, 2012). "Patrick Willis in powerful commercial". SFGate.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis". Hrbk12.org. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Inside linebackers 2003". Rivals.com. February 5, 2010.
- ↑ Colston, Chris (March 17, 2007). "Hardship toughened Willis for NFL's rigors". USA Today.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis Named First Team All-America By All-American Football Foundation". Ole Miss Football. February 27, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Consensus All-America Teams (2000-2009)". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis # 49". University of Mississippi Athletics. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "SEC Defensive Player of the Year Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Dick Butkus Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Suss, Nick (January 7, 2019). "Ole Miss legend Patrick Willis elected to College Football Hall of Fame". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Talbott, Chris (November 29, 2006). "Patrick Willis Honored with Conerly Trophy". Ole Miss Athletics. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Komis, Tyler (February 9, 2024). "At last! Rebel legend Patrick Willis makes cut for Pro Football Hall of Fame". 247Sports. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "SI.com – Mock Draft No. 1 (cont.) – Jan 26, 2007". CNN. January 26, 2007. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ↑ "NFL Events: Combine Top Performers". NFL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
- ↑ "2007 NFL Combine Results – Linebackers". ESPN. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
- 1 2 "Patrick Willis, Mississippi, ILB, 2007 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". NFL Draft Scout. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
- ↑ Corbett, Jim (September 6, 2008). "49ers' Willis on way to top of NFL's linebackers corps". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Pro Football War Room: Patrick Willis". SportingNews.com. April 29, 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Patrick Willis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis, Combine Results, ILB - Mississippi". NFL Combine Results. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Corbett, Jim (September 6, 2008). "49ers' Willis on way to top of NFL's linebackers corps". USA Today.
- ↑ "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ↑ Trotter, Jim (October 10, 2007). "NFL Rookies: Patrick Willis, MLB, 49ers". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2007 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Brown, Daniel (December 19, 2007). "LB Willis has Lott to be proud about". East Bay Times. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - September 14th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ↑ "New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers - October 5th, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2009 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2008 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2008 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2008 NFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2008 NFL All-Pros". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ↑ "San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals - September 13th, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers - October 4th, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2009 All-Pro Team". Footballsfuture.com. September 28, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2009 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2009 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Fucillo, David (December 29, 2009). "49ers LB Patrick Willis, TE Vernon Davis, P Andy Lee named to Pro Bowl". Niners Nation. SB Nation. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Player of the Year Awards 2009 Winners". NFL Alumni Association. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Willis Presented with Pro Butkus Award". 49ers.com. March 17, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hard work pays: Niners LB Willis signs five-year, $50M extension". NFL.com. Associated Press. May 4, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ McCauley, Janie (December 31, 2010). "LB Patrick Willis upset to miss 49ers finale". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Price, Taylor (December 28, 2010). "Willis, Smith Return to the Pro Bowl". 49ers.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
- ↑ Brown, Daniel (December 28, 2010). "49ers land two on Pro Bowl team; Justin Smith joins Patrick Willis". East Bay Times. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Brady, AFC players dominate selections on AP All-Pro Team". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 24, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ↑ "49ers' Willis named NFL Alumni Linebacker of Year". CSN Bay Area. February 7, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "2011 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ↑ Sando, Mike (April 12, 2011). "Power Rankings: Top 10 NFL linebackers". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Video: Ray Lewis on Patrick Willis". ESPN. April 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers - October 9th, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "2011 NFL Week 5 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Branch, Eric (December 20, 2011). "David Akers breaks Rice's 49ers scoring mark". The San Francisco Chronicle.
- ↑ "2011 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ McCauley, Janie (December 5, 2011). "49ers beat Rams 26–0 for 1st playoffs since '02". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Seifert, Kevin (May 24, 2011). "Power Rankings: Top 10 defensive players". ESPN. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ↑ "2012 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
- ↑ Fucillo, David (January 24, 2011). "AP All Pro Team: Patrick Willis Named To Third Team In Four Years". SBNation. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ↑ "2012 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets - September 30th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "2012 NFL Week 4 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Fucillo, David (December 27, 2012). "Pro Bowl voting results 2013: 49ers match franchise record of seven starters". Niners Nation. SB Nation. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "2012 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ↑ "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
- ↑ "2013 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Wilson, Ryan (August 5, 2013). "Report: 49ers LB Patrick Willis has surgery on fractured hand". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers - December 23rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ↑ "NFL-high Eight 49ers Named to 2014 Pro Bowl". 49ers.com. December 27, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "2014 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Hanzus, Dan (November 11, 2014). "Patrick Willis (toe) placed on 49ers' season-ending IR". NFL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
- ↑ Emerick, Tyler (March 10, 2015). "Patrick Willis Explains Decision to Retire from NFL". 49ers.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Willis Wins Butkus Award As Collegian And Pro". Ole Miss Rebels Athletics. March 17, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Pro Football Hall of Fame to enshrine seven in Class of 2024". Pro Football Hall of Fame. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis receives Hall of Fame knock from Bryant Young". NFL (video). Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ↑ Branch, John (January 20, 2012). "A 49ers Linebacker With Two Men to Call Dad". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ McLeod, Mark (July 27, 2006). "SEC: Willis suffers more than an injury". GatorCountry.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
- ↑ Brady, Erik (January 25, 2013). "Patrick Willis still holds foster parents dear". USA Today. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Boxing record for Arthur Willis from BoxRec (registration required)
- ↑ Brown, Daniel (February 15, 2017). "Ex-49ers star Patrick Willis says of NFL return: 'Nope, I'm cool'". The Mercury News. Bay Area News Group.
Willis grew up as a fight fan because his uncle was a professional super middleweight boxer. Arthur Willis later fought future world champion James Toney to a split decision.
- ↑ 2010 San Francisco 49ers media guide
- ↑ "Patrick Willis Gives God the Praise, Glory and Honor". The Christian Broadcasting Network. January 12, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Patrick Willis: My #1 Goal is to Glorify God". Black Christian News Network One. January 15, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
External links
- Official website[permanent dead link]
- Career statistics from ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Patrick Willis on X
- Ole Miss Rebels bio[permanent dead link]
- Pro Football Hall of Fame profile
- "Patrick Willis Career Highlights". NFL.com. March 9, 2015. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021 – via YouTube.
