It’s about time.
Former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is finally a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He’ll be inducted with the class of 2024.
This is Willis’ fifth year on the ballot and fifth time landing as a finalist. He appeared bound to get in eventually and now the wait is over.
“Congratulations to Patrick Willis on his well-deserved honor of being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” the 49ers said in a statement. “Willis has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He set a standard of excellence and provided exemplary leadership for his teammates. His grit and passion for the game anchored our defense and elevated everyone around him. We join the 49ers Faithful in celebrating Willis as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.”
A lack of longevity is likely part of the reason Willis had to wait so long to get his gold jacket. He played just eight years, but he packed a Hall of Fame résumé into those years.
He was a Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007, a seven-time Pro Bowler, a five-time First-Team All-Pro and a one-time Second-Team All-Pro. Willis also landed on the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2010s All-Decade team.
There weren’t any off-ball LBs better than Willis when he played, and there aren’t many better in NFL history. Now he’ll join his peers in Canton.
