Hall of Fame candidate Patrick Willis talks stepping away from NFL in his prime, would do it all over again

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When Patrick Willis stepped up to the San Francisco 49ers podium in March 2015, he had tears in his eyes as he explained why he was walking away from the NFL after eight stellar seasons. 

Today, Willis is one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 for the third consecutive year. 

It is an honor every NFL players dreams of as they enter the league – the chance for their legacy to live forever in Canton, Ohio. Although voters passed on Willis the last two years, he is nominated again to have his bust join the likes of legends. 

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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis flexes after sounding the San Jose Earthquakes siren before a match against the Los Angeles FC at Levi's Stadium. (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)

"I just wanted to be one of them," Willis told Fox News Digital, referring to the legends in Canton. "If one person could remember me, that would be awesome. It seems like a little bit more than one is remembering, so I’m grateful for that. But whatever is to be, shall be."

Usually, players in the Hall are ones that have amassed years upon years of service time in the league, performing at the highest level to garner the right to live forever in Canton. However, at 30 years old, Willis knew that it was his time to walk away from the game. 

Of course, 49ers fans, and all football fans for that matter, were shocked to see one of the greatest middle linebackers to ever strap on pads call it quits. However, Willis said then he knew it was time. 

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