San Francisco 49ers linebacker whose combination of blitzing, coverage and run-stopping ability made him one of the most dominant defensive players of the early 2010s before injuries derailed his career.
Patrick Willis was one of the most dominant defensive players of his generation, a San Francisco 49ers linebacker who earned All-Pro honours in seven of his eight NFL seasons. Known for his exceptional speed and athleticism, which allowed him to rush the passer from the inside as well as cover receivers, Willis was the standard-bearer for inside linebackers during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Recurring injuries forced him to retire at just 30.
Best Known For
Hall of Fame 2024
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- Hall of Fame 2024
- Defensive Rookie of the Year 2007
- Pro Bowl 8x
- All-Pro 7x
- Super Bowl XLVII (runner-up)
Career Journey
Timeline
1985
👶 Born in Anguilla, USA
2011
🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏟️ San Francisco 49ers
🏆 Hall of Fame 2024
🏆 Defensive Rookie of the Year 2007
🏆 Pro Bowl 8x
🏆 All-Pro 7x
🏆 Super Bowl XLVII (runner-up)