As the NFL ramps up to the start of the 2024 season with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans slated for Thursday, August 1, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 took a trip to Canton, Ohio.
San Francisco 49ers legend Patrick Willis linked up with Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson and Julius Peppers to see their names and faces displayed around the Hall of Fame building for the first time. The 2024 class held a meet and greet with NFL fans and unveiled the Pro Football Hall of Fame's newest exhibit on Friday, May 25.
The exhibit features seven glass cases dedicated to each new member that displays special artifacts from their personal collections of memorabilia. Inside Willis' case are the shoulder pads the linebacker wore during his eight-year career in San Francisco. Also a part of the exhibit are oversized photos of each class member and a video showcasing footage from when each new member received the “knock on the door” informing them of their elections to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Willis was the first 49ers player since safety Ronnie Lott to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. The linebacker also became the first player in 49ers history to be selected as an All-Pro in each of his first six seasons (First Team - 2007, 2009-12; Second Team - 2008). In 2020, Willis was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2010s All-Decade Team. The following year, Willis was cemented in franchise records when he was inducted into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame.
During his eight years in The Bay, Willis started in all 112 games he played, registering 1,225 tackles, 20.5 sacks, eight interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 16 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 53 passes defensed. He also started in all eight of his playoff appearances and registered 84 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.
Willis will be enshrined to the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on Saturday, August 3.
Look back at some of the best moments from Patrick Willis' eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers.
