Many people know Patrick Willis as one of the relentless players of the game today. Primarily a run stopper, many offenses fear his capability to dissect and shut down their offense. After playing middle-linebacker at the University of Mississippi, Willis was recognized for his outstanding talent. Throughout Willis' collegiate football career, he won many awards and honors for the effort he displayed on the field as well as in the classroom. Catching the eyes of many NFL scouts, he entered the draft in 2007 where he was a first round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers. Although he succeeded in life and made something out of himself, he had a difficult time achieving it. Willis and his siblings had a tough childhood growing up. Patrick Willis' strength and determination he possessed helped him to pull through the struggles he had to face as a child.
Patrick Willis is a hero because of the strength he possessed during his childhood and teen years. His siblings were in the same situation as Willis, so he had to take the initiative to help his family when they were in extreme poverty. "Born Patrick L. Willis (1/25/85) in Bruceton, TN. At the ripe age of 10, Patrick worked in a cotton field among other jobs to help support his family. He and his siblings were separated from their biological father when he was 16" (CAA Football). With three children and no support whatsoever, Ernest Willis, Patrick's father, turned increasingly violent due to his alcohol addiction. Willis had to step up and obtain numerous jobs to ensure that his family had enough money for food and any other necessities that they needed. Although he had a number of jobs, the Willis family still lived in extreme poverty, making life difficult. Patrick Willis' strength ultimately led him to success and helped to raise his brothers and sister. As they grew up, the Willis children faced the many hardships of their alcoholic and abusive father. "The people who know Willis best also believe his character will receive more attention outside the Bay Area. For as great as he is on the field, what really makes him special is how gracefully he's handled his turbulent life" (Chadiha). Growing up without two stable parental figures in a child's youth can be difficult and traumatizing for them. Patrick Willis was somewhat of a parental figure to his siblings. When his father used to beat his sister, Willis had the strength to stand up to him, protecting her. He was working as young as the age of ten, sacrificing his childhood to support his family.
Patrick Willis' determination showed in the sports that he was involved with as well as his personal life. "Willis attended Central High School in Bruceton, Tennessee where he earned Class "A" Mr. Football honors and was a two-time All-State choice. Also earned four letters in basketball and three in baseball, garnering all-district honors in each sport. He graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in criminal justice as well as an outstanding collegiate career, where he won the Butkus Award, SEC Defensive POY and received All-American honors, he was the 11th overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft" (CAA Football). Patrick Willis excelled at the sports he played. He loved to play sports and he was determined to achieve great things in his life. Sports were a way for Willis to block out all the negativity and abuse he sustained at home. His determination in sports were one of the character traits he possessed that led him to be successful in them. Determination also played a role during Willis' life at home and how he managed to overcome the struggles he faced during that time. "Ten years ago, he became a foster father to Patrick and Orey Willis, and two of their younger siblings, after the authorities went to the family's home and took them away from Ernest, a struggling, abusive single father" (Branch). Although Patrick Willis didn't have a mother growing up as well as a father, he was determined to keep his family together and be able to support them. As a child, he raised his younger siblings and worked on a cotton field as well as having many other jobs to support them. He also helped his siblings get through the bad living environment that they were in. Willis was a positive figure in his siblings' lives, so they often looked up to him for guidance. Years later, as he matured, Patrick Willis realized that it wasn't right for him to prevent his father from being in his life. Willis' determination to mend his relationship with his father shows how big of a heart he has.
Patrick Willis is a hero by his strength and determination he showed throughout his life as well as today. He is personally an inspiration to me. "The hard part is explaining how Patrick Willis got from here to there with the help of two very different fathers, whose worlds intersected at the crossroads of a promising boy's life (Branch). Patrick Willis is an inspiration by his life story. The fact that he was able to become a successful person that began living in extreme poverty is unbelievable. He had to deal with his mother leaving the family, financial hardships, his father being an alcoholic and drug user, and his siblings being taken away from his father. He overcame all of those obstacles in his life and achieved many great things during that time. Being a professional football player is the dream of most kids that are playing for a team right now. Hearing his story puts a little light at the end of the tunnel that dreams can be achieved no matter what the circumstances are.
Page created on 5/24/2014 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 5/24/2014 12:00:00 AM
