Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Willis Finalist for NFL Hall of Fame

Posted

Bruceton-Hollow Rock native Patrick Willis is a finalist for nomination into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. This is the second year he has been nominated for the honor. Fifteen finalists will be notified sometime in January and will be inducted later in the year.

Willis played for the Bruceton-Hollow Rock Central Tigers from 1999 to 2003 becoming the first player in Tennessee sports history to be nominated for Mr. Football lineman and Mr. Football back in the same year.

He signed to play his college ball at Ole Miss where he won the Jack Lambert Award as the nation’s top linebacker during his senior season.

Patrick was drafted 11th in the 2007 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers and played eight years winning numerous awards. During his rookie season, Willis led the NFL in tackles earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while being named 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press.

Willis recorded 950 tackles including 20.5 quarterback sacks while making eight interceptions and forcing 16 fumbles during his career. He earned All-Pro honors his first six seasons and made the Pro Bowl his first seven seasons.

He has been inducted in the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.