WATCH: Former Rebels LB Patrick Willis Finds Out Hall Of Fame News
Patrick Willis finally exhaled and let it flow.
The waiting period was over.
Willis, a two-time All-SEC and former Butkus Award winner at Ole Miss, was officially named to the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Class earlier this month. He'll be one of seven members inducted in Canton. Ohio on Aug. 3.
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On Monday, however, the San Francisco 49ers released a video on their social media handles of how Willis learned of the news from former teammate and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bryant Young. The two played their entire careers in San Francisco and were teammates during Willis' rookie season and Young's final year in 2007.
In the video, Young is shown knocking on the door to Willis' sister, Ernicka, opening. Then, after Ernicka gets Willis, the emotions hit from the former Rebel as he realized what words were about to be said.
"P-Willy. ... Welcome to the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024," Young said. "Congratulations man."
Willis thanked Young for teaching him not only how to play at the professional level, but also how to act as a leader in the clubhouse. Part of the reason for the emotions was due to the family celebrating the the anniversary of his uncle's death.
"This hits so hard because he was the one who told me ever since I was young that I said 'One day I am going to be a professional football player' and he said, 'Boss, you do it," said Willis. "Just keep working hard.' And here we are today."
Young told Willis is career might not have been long, but it was bountiful in securing him a spot in Canton.
"Your body of work deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame forever," said Young.
Willis joins Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael as the newest members of the Hall of Fame. He also joins Bruiser Kinard and Gene Hickerson as the third Ole Miss member to be enshrined.
