View source for Patrick Willis

{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}}
{{For|the judge|Patrick Willis (judge)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Patrick Willis
| image       = Patrick Willis in 2012.jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = Willis with the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in 2012
| number      = 52
| position    = [[Linebacker]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1985|1|25|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bruceton, Tennessee]], U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 1
| weight_lb   = 242
| high_school = [[Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School|Central]] <br> (Bruceton, Tennessee)
| college     = [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]] (2003–2006)
| draftyear   = 2007
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 11
| pastteams   = * [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|2007|2014}})
| highlights  = * [[NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year]] (2007)
* 5× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[2007 All-Pro Team|2007]], [[2009 All-Pro Team|2009]]–[[2013 All-Pro Team|2012]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[2008 All-Pro Team|2008]])
* 7× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2008 Pro Bowl|2007]]–[[2014 Pro Bowl|2013]])
* 2× [[List of NFL annual tackles leaders#Solo tackles leaders|NFL solo tackles leader]] (2007, 2009)
* 2× [[List of NFL annual tackles leaders#Combined tackles leaders|NFL combined tackles leader]] (2007, 2009)
* [[NFL 2010s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Butkus Award]] (pro) (2009)
* [[PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team#2007|2007]])
* [[San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame]]
* [[Butkus Award]] (college) (2006)
* [[Jack Lambert Trophy]] (2006)
* [[SEC Defensive Player of the Year]] (2006)
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[2006 College Football All-America Team|2006]])
* First-team All-American ([[2005 College Football All-America Team|2005]])
* 2× First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[2005 All-SEC football team|2005]], [[2006 All-SEC football team|2006]])
| statlabel1  = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
| statvalue1  = 950
| statlabel2  = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue2  = 20.5
| statlabel3  = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]]
| statvalue3  = 16
| statlabel4  = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
| statvalue4  = 5
| statlabel5  = [[Pass deflections]]
| statvalue5  = 53
| statlabel6  = [[Interceptions]]
| statvalue6  = 8
| statlabel7  = [[Touchdown|Defensive touchdowns]]
| statvalue7  = 2
| pfr         = WillPa98
| HOF         = patrick-willis
| CollegeHOF  = 2444 
}}

'''Patrick L. Willis''' (born January 25, 1985) is an American former professional [[American football|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 football|Ole Miss Rebels]], earning consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors in 2006 and was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the [[2007 NFL draft]].

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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schultz |first=Jordan |date=July 7, 2014 |title=A Troubled Childhood Shaped Patrick Willis Into A Forgiving Adult And An NFL Powerhouse |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/07/patrick-willis_n_5405702.html |access-date=July 17, 2018 |website=Huffington Post |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=49ers Web Blog: Patrick Willis in powerful commercial/ |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/09/19/patrick-willis-in-powerful-commercial |website=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> The siblings moved in with Willis's high school basketball coach.

Willis attended [[Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Willis |url=http://www.hrbk12.org/Docs/alumni/2000s/2003/patrick_willis/2003_patrick_willis.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726155354/http://www.hrbk12.org/Docs/alumni/2000s/2003/patrick_willis/2003_patrick_willis.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=October 31, 2010 |publisher=Hrbk12.org}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2010 |title=Inside linebackers 2003 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-183 |website=Rivals.com}}</ref> He chose Ole Miss over Memphis.

{{college athlete recruit start|40=yes|year=2003}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit      = Patrick Willis
| position     = [[Linebacker|LB]]
| hometown     = Bruceton, Tennessee
| highschool   = Central HS
| feet         = 6
| inches       = 2
| weight       =217
| 40           = 4.6
| commitdate   = July 8, 2003
| scout stars  = 2
| rivals stars = 3
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| 40               = yes
| year             = 2003
| rivals ref title = 2003 Mississippi Football Commitment List
| scout ref title  = 2003 Ole Miss College Football Team Recruiting Prospects
| rivals school    = olemiss
| scout s          = 177
| scout overall    = 32 (college recruiting)
| rivals overall   = 60 (LB); 38 (college recruiting)
| access-date       = August 17, 2013
| rivals archiveurl=
| scout archiveurl =
| espn archiveurl  =
}}

==College career==
{{Cquote|Patrick leads by example. He is not a big talker. He just gets in there and does his job every day and makes everybody around him better.|15px|15px|former Mississippi coach [[Ed Orgeron]].<ref name="ColstonUSAToday">{{Cite news |last=Colston |first=Chris |date=March 17, 2007 |title=Hardship toughened Willis for NFL's rigors |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/draft/2007-03-14-patrick-willis_N.htm}}</ref>}}

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 [[List of All-SEC football teams|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.<ref name="First_Team">{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2006 |title=Patrick Willis Named First Team All-America By All-American Football Foundation |url=https://olemisssports.com/news/2006/2/27/Patrick_Willis_Named_First_Team_All_America_By_All_American_Football_Foundation.aspx |access-date=October 31, 2010 |website=Ole Miss Football }}</ref>

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 [[2006 College Football All-America Team|All-American]]. He was the winner of the [[Lambert Award|Jack Lambert Award]] and the prestigious [[Dick Butkus Award]], given to the most outstanding linebacker in college football. He also won the [[Conerly Trophy#Conerly Trophy|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Willis # 49 |url=http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=12787&SPID=737&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=542726&Q_SEASON=2006&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=2600&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070707123104/http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=12787&SPID=737&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=542726&Q_SEASON=2006&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=2600&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT= |archive-date=July 7, 2007 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=University of Mississippi Athletics}}</ref>

===Awards and honors===
* 2× First-team All-SEC (2005, 2006)
* 2× [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[2005 College Football All-America Team|2005]], [[2006 College Football All-America Team|2006]])
* SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2006)
* [[Dick Butkus Award|Butkus Award]] (2006)
* [[Lambert Award|Jack Lambert Trophy]] (2006)
* [[Conerly Trophy#Conerly Trophy|Conerly Trophy]] (2006)
* [[College Football Hall of Fame]] - inducted in 2019

==Professional career==
===Pre-draft===
Originally regarded as a late-first to early-second round draft pick,<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2007 |title=SI.com – Mock Draft No. 1 (cont.) – Jan 26, 2007 |work=CNN |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/01/25/mock.draft1.part3/index.html}}</ref> Willis improved his draft stock with an impressive performance at the NFL Combine; his 4.56 40-yard dash<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Events: Combine Top Performers |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2007&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH&position=LB |access-date=March 17, 2011 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Combine Results – Linebackers |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/combine/_/id/30/year/2007/order/false |access-date=March 17, 2011 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref name="combine">{{Cite web |title=Patrick Willis, Mississippi, ILB, 2007 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=17257&DraftYear=2007 |access-date=March 17, 2011 |publisher=NFL Draft Scout}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Corbett |first=Jim |date=September 6, 2008 |title=49ers' Willis on way to top of NFL's linebackers corps |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722140008/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/niners/2008-09-06-willis_N.htm}}</ref> Analysts of ''[[The Sporting News]]'' compared him to [[Jeremiah Trotter]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2007 |title=Pro Football War Room: Patrick Willis |url=http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2007/players/6895.html |website=SportingNews.com}}</ref> Willis also earned South Team Defensive MVP honors at the 2007 Senior Bowl.

{{nfl predraft
|    height ft = 6
|    height in = 1 1/8
|       weight = 242
|         dash = 4.56 <!-- DO NOT CHANGE. The electronic timed 40-yards at the combine have higher priority. See references above. -->
|    ten split = 1.61
| twenty split = 2.68
|      shuttle = 4.46
|   cone drill = 7.23
|     vertical = 39
|     broad ft = 9
|     broad in = 11
|        bench = 22
|    wonderlic = 12
|     arm span = 34
|    hand span = 9 3/4
|         note = All values from the 2007 [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/patrick-willis/32005749-4c61-8736-c8f3-2aff46212ff3 |title=Patrick Willis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name="combine" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Willis, Combine Results, ILB - Mississippi |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=7838}}</ref>
}}

===2007===
{{Quote box| width=25%|align=right
|quote = "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."
|source = NFL Hall of Famer [[Mike Singletary]], referring to [[Ray Lewis (American football)|Ray Lewis]] and Patrick Willis.<ref name="CorbettUSAToday" />}}
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/draft.htm |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He signed a seven-year, $53.51&nbsp;million contract with the 49ers in the 2010 season.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trotter |first=Jim |date=October 10, 2007 |title=NFL Rookies: Patrick Willis, MLB, 49ers |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/10/rookie.willis/}}</ref>

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 [[NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year|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 (American football)|Sean Morey]] after a 62-yard, catch-and-run for the game-saving tackle in overtime. The 49ers eventually won 37–31.<ref name="CorbettUSAToday">{{Cite news |last=Corbett |first=Jim |date=September 6, 2008 |title=49ers' Willis on way to top of NFL's linebackers corps |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/niners/2008-09-06-willis_N.htm}}</ref>

Willis finished the 2007 campaign with an NFL-leading 174 total tackles, along with four sacks, two forced fumbles, and five passes deflected. 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 [[2008 Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]] along with punter [[Andy Lee (American football)|Andy Lee]]. Other honors earned at the conclusion of his first professional season included being named [[NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year|AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year]], first-team [[All-Pro]], and [[National Football League Alumni|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. His season was capped by being named one of [[ESPN The Magazine]]'s "NEXT" athletes of 2008, alongside [[New York Yankees|Yankee]] [[Joba Chamberlain]] and [[Portland Trail Blazers|Trail Blazer]] [[Brandon Roy]].

===2008===
[[File:Patrick Willis on field pregame at Eagles at 49ers 10-12-08.JPG|thumb|right|Willis in October 2008]]

In his second NFL season, Willis scored his first career NFL [[touchdown]] against Seattle, returning an interception for 86 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - September 14th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809140sea.htm |access-date=June 16, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2009 |title=2009 Pro Bowl rosters |url=http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story?id=09000d5d80d60467&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201210427/http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story?id=09000d5d80d60467&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true |archive-date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=October 31, 2010 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

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. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===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. He also had a huge game in week 4 against St. Louis finishing with 8 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception return for a 23-yard touchdown.

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2006 |title=2009 All-Pro Team |url=http://www.footballsfuture.com/nfl/2009/allpro.html |access-date=October 31, 2010 |publisher=Footballsfuture.com}}</ref>

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. 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]]. 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 (defensive end)|Justin Smith]] and [[Andy Lee (American football)|Andy Lee]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fucillo |first=David |date=December 29, 2009 |title=49ers LB Patrick Willis, TE Vernon Davis, P Andy Lee named to Pro Bowl |url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/12/29/1224534/49ers-lb-patrick-willis-te-vernon |access-date=October 31, 2010 |publisher=Niners Nation}}</ref>

Willis was named the 2009 [[National Football League Alumni|NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year]], an award voted on by past NFL linebackers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player of the Year Awards 2009 Winners |url=http://www.nflalumni.org/Events/SuperBowlWeekend/PlayeroftheYearAwards2009Winners.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118084117/http://www.nflalumni.org/Events/SuperBowlWeekend/PlayeroftheYearAwards2009Winners.aspx |archive-date=November 18, 2010 |access-date=December 31, 2010 |publisher=NFL Alumni Association}}</ref> Willis also became the second NFL player to win the [[Dick Butkus Award|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.

===2010===
On May 4, Willis signed a five-year contract extension worth $50&nbsp;million, with $29&nbsp;million in guaranteed money making him the highest paid inside linebacker in the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2010 |title=Hard work pays: Niners LB Willis signs five-year, $50M extension |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d817f3d55&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |access-date=October 31, 2010 |website=NFL.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In 2010, Willis strengthened a dimension of his game, totaling a career-high 6.0 sacks. 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. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Taylor |date=December 28, 2010 |title=Willis, Smith Return to the Pro Bowl |url=http://www.49ers.com/news-and-events/article-2/Willis-Smith-Return-to-the-Pro-Bowl/de9bd872-0228-430a-97cd-458d4dae8534 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531070334/http://www.49ers.com/news-and-events/article-2/Willis-Smith-Return-to-the-Pro-Bowl/de9bd872-0228-430a-97cd-458d4dae8534 |archive-date=May 31, 2012 |access-date=December 31, 2010 |publisher=49ers.com }}</ref> He now joins Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott as only 49ers to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of their first four seasons.

Willis also earned first-team [[All-Pro]] from the Associated Press alongside [[Jerod Mayo]] of the [[New England Patriots]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2011 |title=Brady, AFC players dominate selections on AP All-Pro Team |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/brady-afc-players-dominate-selections-on-ap-all-pro-team-09000d5d81de390c |access-date=February 8, 2011}}</ref> For the third time in his career, and the second year in a row, he was named Linebacker of the Year by the [[National Football League Alumni|NFL Alumni Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2011 |title=49ers' Willis named NFL Alumni Linebacker of Year |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/02/07/11/49ers-Willis-named-NFL-Alumni-Linebacker/landing_niners.html?blockID=405971&feedID=2800 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724091844/http://www.csnbayarea.com/02/07/11/49ers-Willis-named-NFL-Alumni-Linebacker/landing_niners.html?blockID=405971&feedID=2800 |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2011 |publisher=CSN Bay Area}}</ref> He was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on the [[NFL Top 100 Players of 2011]].<ref name="f791">{{cite web | title=2011 NFL Top 100 | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2011-nfl-top-100.htm | access-date=2024-07-24}}</ref>

===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."<ref name="ESPN">{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2011 |title=Power Rankings: Top 10 NFL linebackers |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/35956/power-rankings-top-10-nfl-linebackers |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2011 |title=Video: Ray Lewis on Patrick Willis |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/35921/video-ray-lewis-on-patrick-willis |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Willis also came in fourth in an ESPN expert vote for the NFL's 10 best defensive players, finishing only behind 2010 [[National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award|AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] [[Troy Polamalu]], [[DeMarcus Ware]], and [[Darrelle Revis]].  Also, when he was voted no. 10 players of 2012 (2011 season), [[Ray Rice]] and commentators noted the resemblance in playing style and techniques from Willis to Lewis from 10 years ago<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/top100/2012?module=HP11_hot_topics#video=09000d5d82a2b8ff Top 100 Players of 2012 – No. 10] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105045213/http://www.nfl.com/top100/2012?module=HP11_hot_topics#video=09000d5d82a2b8ff |date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2011, 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=December 20, 2011 |title=David Akers breaks Rice's 49ers scoring mark |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/2011-12-20/sports/30536980_1_kicker-akers-jim-tomsula-braylon-edwards}}</ref> The 49ers' stingy defense ranked fourth overall and played a huge role in the 49ers finishing with a 13–3 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2012.htm |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> This also marked the first time since 2002 the 49ers were division champs and back in the [[playoffs]].

During a game against the [[St. Louis Rams]] in week 13, Willis landed awkwardly after missing a tackle and injured his right hamstring.<ref>{{Cite web |title=49ers beat Rams 26–0 for 1st playoffs since '02 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AjX9wDP9AjYuu6B4JgCVVpf.uLYF?gid=20111204025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722202221/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AjX9wDP9AjYuu6B4JgCVVpf.uLYF?gid=20111204025 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2012 |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert, Kevin |date=May 24, 2011 |title=Power Rankings: Top 10 defensive players |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/27187/power-rankings-top-10-defensive-players |access-date=June 6, 2011 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Pro Bowl rosters |url=http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story/09000d5d82578253/article/2012-pro-bowl-rosters |access-date=June 25, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> In addition, he earned first-team [[All-Pro]] from the [[Associated Press]] for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fucillo, David |date=January 24, 2011 |title=AP All Pro Team: Patrick Willis Named To Third Team In Four Years |url=https://www.ninersnation.com/2011/1/24/1953991/ap-all-pro-team-patrick-willis-named-to-third-team-in-four-years |access-date=April 22, 2014 |website=SBNation }}</ref>

===2012===
During the 2012 season, Willis had 120 combined tackles, two forced fumbles (one recovery), two interceptions, nine passes defended, and 0.5 sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Willis 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201302030sfo.htm |access-date=December 2, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Willis had 29 combined tackles and a sack during the 2012 postseason.

===2013===
On August 5, 2013, Willis underwent surgery to repair a fractured hand he suffered during training camp. 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. He ended the 2013 season with 104 total tackles (82 solo).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Willis 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===2014===
Willis played in six games of the 2014 season hampered by a nagging toe injury. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanzus |first=Dan |title=Patrick Willis (toe) placed on 49ers' season-ending IR |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patrick-willis-toe-placed-on-49ers-season-ending-ir-0ap3000000426691 |access-date=March 10, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

After struggling with a toe injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2014, Willis announced his retirement on March 10, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |title=Patrick Willis Explains Decision to Retire from NFL |url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Patrick-Willis-Explains-Decision-to-Retire-from-NFL/c0afb6ec-0923-4e91-9bef-be7a984990e4 |access-date=March 10, 2015 |publisher=49ers.com}}</ref><ref name="willisbutkus09">{{Cite web |title=OleMissSports.com: Willis Wins Butkus Award As Collegian And Pro |url=http://www.olemisssports.com/ |access-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2024/02/pro-football-hall-of-fame-to-enshrine-seven-in-class-of-2024/ |title=Pro Football Hall of Fame to enshrine seven in Class of 2024 |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |date=February 8, 2024 |access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="5"| Interceptions
! colspan="3"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! Lng !! TD !! FF !! FR !! TD
|-
! [[2007 NFL season|2007]] !! [[2007 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''174''' || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''135''' || '''39''' || 4.0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[2008 NFL season|2008]] !! [[2008 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 16 || 16 || 141 || 109 || 32 || 1.0 || 10 || 1 || '''86''' || '''86T''' || '''1''' || 1 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[2009 NFL season|2009]] !! [[2009 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 152 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 114 || 38 || 4.0 || 8 || '''3''' || 33 || 23T || '''1''' || 3 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] !! [[2010 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 15 || 15 || 128 || 101 || 27 || '''6.0''' || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] !! [[2011 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 13 || 13 || 97 || 74 || 23 || 2.0 || '''12''' || 1 || 10 || 10 || 0 || '''4''' || '''2''' || 0
|-
! [[2012 NFL season|2012]] !! [[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 16 || 16 || 120 || 88 || 32 || 0.5 || 9 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[2013 NFL season|2013]] !! [[2013 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 14 || 14 || 104 || 82 || 22 || 3.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2014 NFL season|2014]] !! [[2014 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 6 || 6 || 34 || 29 || 5 || 0.0 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98.htm Career] !! 112 !! 112 !! 950 !! 732 !! 218 !! 20.5 !! 53 !! 8 !! 131 !! 86 !! 2 !! 16 !! 5 !! 0
|}

===Postseason===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="5"| Interceptions
! colspan="3"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! Lng !! TD !! FF !! FR !! TD
|-
! [[2011-12 NFL Playoffs|2011]] !! [[2011 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 2 || 2 || 16 || 16 || 0 || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0			
|-
! [[2012-13 NFL Playoffs|2012]] !! [[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 3 || 3 || '''29''' || '''26''' || 3 || '''1.0''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0	
|-
! [[2013-14 NFL playoffs|2013]] !! [[2013 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 3 || 3 || 26 || 18 || '''8''' || 0.0 || '''1''' || '''1''' || -1 || -1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillPa98/gamelog/post/ 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 All-Pro Team|2007]], [[2009 All-Pro Team|2009]]–[[2013 All-Pro Team|2012]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[2008 All-Pro Team|2008]])
* 7× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2008 Pro Bowl|2007]]–[[2014 Pro Bowl|2013]])
* 2× NFL tackles leader ([[2007 NFL season|2007]], [[2009 NFL season|2009]])
* [[National Football League 2010s All-Decade Team|NFL 2010s All-Decade Team]]
* [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#2007|2007]])
* [[Butkus Award]] (pro) (2009)
* [[San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame]]
* [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] (2024)

===College===
* [[Butkus Award]] (college) (2006)
* [[Lambert Award|Jack Lambert Trophy]] (2006)
* [[SEC Defensive Player of the Year]] (2006)
* 2× First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[2005 College Football All-America Team|2005]], [[2006 College Football All-America Team|2006]])
* 2× First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[2005 All-SEC football team|2005]], [[2006 All-SEC football team|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.<ref name="Two_Dads">{{Cite news |last=Branch, John |date=January 20, 2012 |title=A 49ers Linebacker With Two Men to Call Dad |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/sports/football/49ers-willis-calls-two-men-dad-and-they-are-strikingly-different.html}}</ref> Willis's brother, Detris, drowned in 2006 while swimming with his friends.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLeod |first=Mark |date=July 27, 2006 |title=SEC: Willis suffers more than an injury |work=GatorCountry.com |url=http://florida.scout.com/2/550234.html |url-status=dead |access-date=October 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716022422/http://florida.scout.com/2/550234.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Foster">{{Cite news |last=Brady, Erik |date=January 25, 2013 |title=Patrick Willis still holds foster parents dear |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/niners/2013/01/25/patrick-willis-foster-parents-hometown-bruceton-tennessee/1863665/}}</ref> His uncle, Arthur Willis, was a professional [[super middleweight]] [[Boxing|boxer]] who later fought future world champion [[James Toney]] to a split decision.<ref name="Arthur Willis">{{boxrec |id=007222 |name=Arthur Willis}}</ref><ref name="MMA">{{Cite news |last=Brown, Daniel |date=February 15, 2017 |title=Ex-49ers star Patrick Willis says of NFL return: 'Nope, I'm cool' |work=The Mercury News |publisher=Bay Area News Group |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/15/ex-49ers-star-patrick-willis-showing-fight-in-retirement-says-of-nfl-return-nope-im-cool/ |quote=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.}}</ref>

He holds a degree in [[criminal justice]] and envisions a future in law enforcement.<ref name="49ers media guide">2010 San Francisco 49ers media guide</ref>
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.'"<ref name="CBN_God">{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2012 |title=Patrick Willis Gives God the Praise, Glory and Honor |url=http://www.cbn.com/700club/sports/Patrick-willis-011212.aspx |website=The Christian Broadcasting Network }}</ref><ref name="BCNN1">{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2012 |title=Patrick Willis: My #1 Goal is to Glorify God |url=http://www.blackchristiannews.com/news/2012/01/patrick-willis-my-1-goal-is-to-glorify-god.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191946/http://www.blackchristiannews.com/news/2012/01/patrick-willis-my-1-goal-is-to-glorify-god.html |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |access-date=January 2, 2014 |publisher=Black Christian News Network One }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.willis52.com Official Website]
*{{Footballstats |espn=10455  |yahoo=8265 |pfr=WillPa98}}
*{{Twitter}}
*[http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/patrick_willis_142029.html Ole Miss Rebels bio]
*{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2015 |title=Patrick Willis Career Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjHAjAF7BHI&list=PLRdw3IjKY2gmBTpTbGp9NjkIzC6IXWx-b&index=39  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/jjHAjAF7BHI |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |url-status=live|website=NFL.com |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}

{{Dick Butkus Award (collegiate)}}
{{Conerly Trophy}}
{{2006 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Southeastern Conference Football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{2007 NFL Draft}}
{{49ersFirstPick}}
{{49ers2007DraftPicks}}
{{AP Defensive Rookies of the Year}}
{{Dick Butkus Award (professional)}}
{{NFL2010s}}
{{2024 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Willis, Patrick}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football middle linebackers]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Ole Miss Rebels football players]]
[[Category:People from Carroll County, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Tennessee]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]]
[[Category:Unconferenced Pro Bowl players]]