In order to defeat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick “Boss” Willis will do what he does best: hurt his opponents, in an attempt to beat the Broncos and revive the team’s season. Currently, the 49ers have had one win in the first seven games of the season.
“Very seldom do you get the opportunity to have a shot at them when they don’t see you coming, and you put in everything you got thinking, ‘I’m gonna put his ribs through the far side of his stomach,” said Willis, regarding his fondness for going after quarterbacks. “Most of the time they see you and you know they’re seeing you and thinking, ‘…I hope he don’t chew me up.’ You got to do what is necessary. I’m always thinking, ‘I got to get this guy down, whatever it takes.’ If the hit is a wild hit, then that’s what it is.”
Willis’ traumatic childhood might certainly lead fans to expect a perpetually angry player on the field every week. His father was abusive and his mother was absent. He grew up in a small Tennessee town eating raccoons and possums. He credits his lighting speed in the NFL to being chased by snakes while he was growing up. Willis signed a $50 million, five-year contract with the 49ers in May at age 25.
“I like to consider myself silent but deadly, a cold killer,” said Willis. “My high school coach was never big on showboating. I get a little excited sometimes, but not to the point where it’s ‘Look at me.’”
When he was a teenager, Willis and his siblings were adopted by Chris and Julie Finley, two teachers from Bruceton. He dreamt of becoming a professional athlete, and it was this dream that kept him going.
“I believe you can accomplish anything you want,” Willis said. “I had two uncles and we would just get together with my brothers and throw a football. We liked to play tackle, but when my grandma came around we had to play tag. I enjoyed playing sports because there wasn’t nothing to do in my town.”
