Tag: Patrick Willis

Previewing Kansas City’s AFC Championship game vs. Bills on Chiefs Wire Podcast

On the latest episode of @TheChiefsWire podcast: @EdEastonJr’s chats w/ Patrick Willis, Charlie Ward, Eric Crouch, and Eddie George #BUFvsKC #NFLPlayoffs

We’re back with an all-new episode of the Chiefs Wire podcast! This week, we’re previewing the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC Championship matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. The former NFL Draft first-round pick shared his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-peat chances heading into the postseason.

We check in with this past week’s press conferences, which featured comments from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on his latest unbelievable play in the Divisional round victory over the Houston Texans. Lastly, Easton Jr. spoke to former Heisman Trophy winners Charlie Ward, Eric Crouch, and Eddie George, who revealed their takes on Kansas City’s chances of a Super Bowl three-peat.

The latest episode of the Chiefs Wire Podcast will inform listeners about all developments in the team’s mindset ahead of their AFC Championship matchup against the Bills. We also learn more from Willis’ postseason battles as he recalls the infamous Super Bowl Blackout at the Superdome in New Orleans. At the same time, three former college football stars share their unique stories and thoughts on today’s NFL while supporting a special Heisman event in New York City. The Wuerffel Foundation’s The Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition at Life Time Pickleball NYC gathered past winners for a good cause.

Check out the link below to get your fill of Chiefs talk ahead of the AFC Championship game kickoff:

Patrick Willis tells funny story about sacking Giants legend Eli Manning

Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis shares a funny story about sacking retired New York Giants QB Eli Manning the first time.

Retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is a finalist for this year’s class for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His presence is ubiquitous due to his massive endorsements, television shows, and his legacy with the Giants and at his alma mater, Ole Miss.

Almost everyone has an Eli opinion or story to tell.

Recently, former college teammate, Patrick Willis — a Pro Football Hall of Famer himself — tells a humorous story about sacking Manning when he was a freshman and Eli was a senior down in Oxford in 2003.

From Sports Illustrated:

“My first practice, I come off the ball, and Eli drops back to pass,” Willis said in a recent interview. “Working good mechanics, I act as if I’m going to swipe the ball. I’m not going to hit the ball but act as if I am. I’ll never forget getting ripped by the coaches, the head coach.

“As soon as I went by them, all I heard was, ‘You freshman, stay away from him! Don’t you ever get close to him!'”

Willis would get his chance to sack his friend a few years later, when he was  an All-Pro linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and Manning was in his prime with the Giants.

“Fast forward, here we are playing against one another,” Willis said, “and I finally get a chance to get my sack on him, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, nobody here to save you now!’ He would probably that [favorite] amongst the others.”

Willis was part of last year’s Hall class and Manning could get in next week when the announcements are due.

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49ers legend Patrick Willis shares thoughts on Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh

49ers legend Patrick Willis shares his thoughts on Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the First-Ever Super Bowl FanFest, which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also reflected on his time playing under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Verizon is transforming stadiums and venues across all 30 NFL markets into a nationwide FanFest unlike any other. On Super Bowl LIX Sunday, fans will enjoy free celebrations, including food and beverages from locally owned small businesses, meet-and-greets with local football heroes, live local music acts, interactive games, and unique football fan experiences.

Fans will also experience Super Bowl LIX activities in select cities on the field.

Willis played under Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco during the last few seasons of his career and experienced much success. He spoke highly of the current Los Angeles Chargers head coach and his impact on his career.

“I was very fortunate to play with that and be a part of that coaching staff,” Willis explained. “When you’re not winning, there are many reasons. There could be a lot of reasons for that; my first few years were tough. It was tough, going .500 and just trying to get into the playoffs at eight and eight or nine and seven. And I remember, again, in 2011, it was a lot of uncertainty. It was coming off a lockout with a new coaching staff. We hadn’t had a chance to have an off-season workout, and we weren’t able to build that camaraderie.”

Harbaugh has earned a reputation over his career for his intensity and focus on winning regardless of the deficit.

“I believe it was a game that happened, I want to say it was the Philadelphia Eagles game, and we [were] playing them,” Willis said. “We [were] down at halftime. when you’ve been used to being on a team, it’s not so well, you’re going to have time. Fingers are pointing, and people are going at each other. It could be a little tough in there.

“I remember going in and thinking like, oh man, being so traumatized from what used to be. I remember we were going in and remember hearing, first, it starts up top and goes downhill, and hearing Harbaugh say, ‘You know what, we got ourselves in a hole, but we know we’re going to do ourselves out. We are going to fight in every play, just the way he went about it.”

Willis had the most team success while Harbaugh was the 49ers’ head coach and continues to wish him well as he led the Chargers to a Wild Card round appearance in his first season in Los Angeles.

“It was so amazing that I remember just saying, like, hey, I think he is going to be alright, I think he gets it, and we go on to have no go to we’re going to have an amazing, three out of four years together because our last season didn’t go as well, but overall, Coach Harbaugh is a tremendous coach,” said Willis. “I was very excited to see him go to see him have the success he had after leaving, the success he had in Michigan, and then see the success he had this year at the Los Angeles Chargers; it was awesome to see.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

49ers legend Patrick Willis reveals favorite linebackers in today’s NFL

Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis reveals his favorite linebackers in today’s NFL w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the First-Ever “Super Bowl FanFest,” which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also shared his thoughts on some of his favorite linebackers in the NFL today.

In a first-of-its-kind event, Verizon transforms stadiums and venues across all 30 NFL markets into a nationwide FanFest. Fans will enjoy free Super Bowl LIX Sunday celebrations with food and beverages from locally owned small businesses, meet-and-greets with local football heroes, live local music acts, interactive games, and unique football fan experiences.

Verizon customers can bring a select number of guests to FanFest to share the afternoon of celebrations with family and friends.

Willis played eight seasons in the NFL, all with the 49ers, earning numerous All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as one of the best linebackers to play the game. He opened up about some of his favorite players from his position group to watch in the league today.

“It’s kind of hard to compare,” Willis explained. “I’m a person. I don’t like to compare it. I always feel like everyone is their own individual. I will say there are some great linebacker play happening in the NFL. Maybe I’m a little biased, but I feel Fred (Warner) is still the number one linebacker, him and Roquan (Smith).

“feel like they are 1A, 1B. They’re both right there, and both are very good. The different things that they do make them All-Pros, which they are. I enjoy watching good football and seeing guys get after it, and I have a fanatical effort. Dre Greenlaw, when healthy, is one of the best. When Dre and Fred are together, man, they are a joy to watch.”

Smith and Warner were again first-team Associated Press All-Pro members for the 2024 season, continuing their exceptional play.

“I enjoy watching good defense, good football, and the play of Fred and Roquan,” Willis said. “I like Nakobe Dean from the (Philadelphia) Eagles; I’m just a fan of defenders, as I was when I was a kid. You had the people they show you; they say these are the superstars. I’ve always been one of the ones. I just watched the game, and you see the effort. You see guys getting after it, land, the boom, high energy, 100% effort. Those are guys I’ve always been a fan of, so I’m just a fan of the game, defenders, and those who get after it.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

Hall of Fame LB Patrick Willis reflects on supporting 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII

@EdEastonJr spoke to PFHOF LB Patrick Willis about his support for the 49ers during San Francisco’s loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the First-Ever Super Bowl FanFest, which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also reflected on the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory over the 49ers.

“The San Francisco 49ers are the only franchise I played for in the NFL, and they have the best fans in the world,” Willis said. “Maybe I am a little biased, but we have some of the best fans in the world, and anytime I have the opportunity to be with them, be around them, celebrate with them. It’s always a great time; we had some great times together. Even though I saw him during the season, a little bit more than usual, I’m looking forward to this event (Verizon’s Super Bowl FanFest) tremendously.”

Willis, who played his eight-year career with the 49ers from 2007-2014, reflected on last season’s Super Bowl run for San Francisco while being announced as a 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class member.

“I got chills; that was a special month, a special game, a special moment,” Willis explained. “Outside of being announced for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, all while having the team that you know, blood, sweat, and tears for in the Super Bowl, it was an amazing time. I will say that, man, I thought it was just they were right there, you know, again. I know that feeling of just being that close. I thought maybe this would be the moment that play would happen, and the Niners would be able to win that sixth Super Bowl that put us, I think, put us right at the top, or with the top for most Super Bowl wins in NFL history. So it was a tough moment.”

The Chiefs won the thrilling game in overtime 25-22, with Patrick Mahomes connecting with Mecole Hardman for a touchdown, as Willis believes a key San Francisco injury affected the outcome.

“On top of that, I’m a big Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner fan, and I think that seeing Dre have his injury, as he did at a pivotal time, was a big difference,” Willis said. “I feel like things shifted a little bit when he went out of the game. It was unfortunate. But, man, it’s like that: you get that close and don’t get it done. Especially as you get older, it gets a little bit tougher each year to dig in again and go back at it. But they didn’t get it done. Unfortunately, they didn’t; as Deebo (Samuel) says, they had a Super Bowl hangover. So you know, this year didn’t go as go as well. Didn’t go well at all. They have a chance to bounce back this off-season and get some things right.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

Retired 49ers All-Pro LB Patrick Willis recalls his Super Bowl XLVII experience in New Orleans

@EdEastonJr spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis about his experience playing in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the first-ever Super Bowl FanFest, which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also reflected on his experience playing Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.

“I am super excited to be a part of the Super Bowl FanFest,” Willis explained. “It’s the first one. It’s the first of its kind ever, so I’m just looking forward to it. Verizon has always been anyone anytime I’ve been a part of anything they’ve done. So, just looking forward to celebrating with the fans and having a great time.”

“They say it’s hard to understand and appreciate the ups unless you’ve been through the downs and the tough times,” Willis continued. “When I came in in 2007, it was a little chaotic. You see, it’s going through a rebuilding stage. I remember what that felt like. I was blessed to be able to come to a fan base such as the 49ers, the ‘Faithful.’ I like to call them. They shouted it loud, even when we were not winning on the scoreboard, and they still were true.

“They still were faithful, and it was amazing when we were able to get over that hump in 2011 and go to NFC Championship and then follow it up with the Super Bowl appearance that we weren’t able to get the win, and then to go back to another NFC Championship following the Super Bowl. So we’ve had some great times together, and again, I’m just looking forward to this time when I’m not a player and can deeply relax and enjoy hanging out with them.”

Super Bowl XLVII was Willis’ lone appearance in the game as the 49ers faced off against the Baltimore Ravens. He finished the game with ten tackles, but San Francisco came up short in the most recent New Orleans Super Bowl before this February’s big game.

“The 49ers have a rich tradition when it comes to Super Bowls. At that time, we had a slogan called ‘Quest for Six,’ it was huge because it wasn’t just any Super Bowl; it was the Harbaugh brother Super Bowl; it was a lot going on,” said Willis. “Then I was also playing against a linebacker I admired to the utmost, a guy in my area, and a guy I could play with in Ray Lewis. So it was, it was a great time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to win, but it was a great time. A lot happened that week. A lot happened on the day of the game, during the game. So it was just a great experience. All in all.”

The game notably featured a long delay due to a power outage at the stadium.

“People still talk about it to this day,” Willis said of the blackout. “It was an awkward moment but a great time.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

49ers legend throws ceremonial first pitch at Giants game for 49ers Night

The legendary 49ers linebacker fired the ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park on Saturday night.

The San Francisco 49ers’ Bay Area neighbor, the San Francisco Giants celebrated the start of the NFL season with an ode to the 49ers on Saturday night at Oracle Park.

The Giants hosted “49ers Night” at Third and King Street in San Francisco on Saturday evening for their matchup with NL West divisional opponent, the San Diego Padres.

Along with dishing out 49ers’ gold and red-themed hats to fans, a legendary member of the 49ers fired the ceremonial first pitch to kick off Saturday night’s tilt. Seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the 49ers Hall of Fame, Patrick Willis toed the rubber for the first pitch. Willis showed off his arm, not bouncing the pitch for a strike just outside the zone.

Via @NBCSGiants on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/NBCSGiants/status/1835126764894667107

Despite Willis and 49ers fans being in the building, the Giants didn’t have an answer for the Padres on Saturday night. Bob Melvin’s Giants got throttled 8-0, for the third straight shutout loss. The Giants haven’t mustered a single run in 27 innings as they fell to a 72-77 record on the season.

The Giants are set to wrap up a three-game series with the Padres on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Huge hit by 49ers rookie reminiscent of 49ers Hall of Famer

Malik Mustapha’s big hit against the Titans looked like a play by a 49ers Hall of Famer.

The San Francisco 49ers had to be pleased with their 2024 rookie class in their preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans.

Third-round pick Dominick Puni got the start at right guard. Second-round pick Renardo Green showed off his versatility playing outside cornerback and in the slot.

Rookie fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha also got a ton of burn after first-team safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum exited the game. He got off to a rough start, falling down on a blitz, then getting out of position on a long completion to a Titans tight end.

He bounced back strong though, and made his presence felt on a fourth-and-1 run late in the second quarter near the goal line. Mustapha shot a gap and blew up Titans running back Hassan Haskins for a turnover on downs.

The hit was reminiscent of a play 49ers Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis made when he was in college at Ole Miss.

Against LSU, Willis shot a gap the same way and dropped the RB with a perfect form tackle the way Mustapha did. Here’s a video filmed on a six-week old potato:

Mustapha has a long way to go to be as impactful as Willis. However, his flashes in his preseason debut bode well for his chances to be an effective pro.

At Wake Forest, physicality and strong tackling were two things that jumped out about Mustapha’s game. That those two things translated in his first NFL game action are a great sign for him.

It’s unlikely Mustapha will start this season with Brown and Talanoa Hufanga ahead of him on the depth chart. There could be chances for him to get on the field in some three-safety looks if he continues building off the foundation he built in Tennessee.

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How to watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Here’s how you can watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony:

A Carolina Panthers icon is less than 24 hours away from solidifying his legacy.

Tomorrow, Julius Peppers officially takes his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And in case you need the rundown on how to tune in, we’ve got you covered . . .

Date: Saturday, Aug. 3
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio
Television: ESPN, NFL Network
Stream: Fubo

The order of the enshrinements is as follows:

  • Dwight Freeney | Presenter: Jim Irsay (Colts owner)
  • Steve McMichael | Presenter: Jarrett Payton (Walter Payton’s son)
  • Randy Gradishar | Presenter: Tom Jackson (former Broncos LB)
  • Devin Hester | Presenter: Juanita Brown (Hester’s mother)
  • Patrick Willis | Presenter: Ernicka Willis (Wills’ sister)
  • Julius Peppers | Presenter: Carl Carey (Peppers’ agent)
  • Andre Johnson | Presenter: Gary Kubiak (former Texans HC)

Peppers will be the fifth individual with Panthers ties to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’ll join Reggie White (2006), Bill Polian (2015), Kevin Greene (2016) and Sam Mills (2022).

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49ers legend Patrick Willis gets Hall of Fame jacket ahead of induction ceremony

LOOK: Patrick Willis gets his Hall of Fame jacket.

49ers legendary linebacker Patrick Willis’ wait for the Hall of Fame is over, as is his wait for a gold jacket.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday posted a video of Willis opening the iconic gold jacket that Hall of Famers receive upon their selection to pro football’s most exclusive fraternity.

While the video doesn’t show Willis putting the jacket on, 49ers fans will get to see him wear it for the first time at the induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3.

This year was Willis’ fifth on the ballot and his fifth as a HOF finalist. He spent eight seasons in the NFL all with the 49ers and racked up a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, seven Pro Bowl trips and six All-Pro nods while leading the NFL in tackles twice.

Willis is joined in the 2024 Hall of Fame class by defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, kick returner Devin Hester, wide receiver Andre Johnson, offensive lineman Steve McMichael, and defensive end Julius Peppers.

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