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Patrick Willis says injuries are causing him to retire

By Josh Hill

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during player introductions before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during player introductions before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi /
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Patrick Willis retired from the NFL today, and in an emotional press conference he cited injuries and wear-and-tear on his body as a motivating reason to quit.

The retirement of Patrick Willis after just eight seasons in the NFL has been a shock to many who follow football, but it’s a decision that no one can argue with. IN a day and age where brain injuries and long term damage to the bodies of players is in clear focus, Willis walking away with his body mostly intact and on his own terms is as admirable as it gets.

In his press conference announcing his retirement from football, Willis cited injuries as a motivating reason as to why he is walking away from the game. It was an emotional moment and a rare moment of raw honesty you don’t hear very often in football these days.

“I know I no longer have it in these feet to go out there and give you guys that ‘wow’,” Willis said in his press conference. “It’s my health first.”

In an era where players like Brett Favre, Troy Polomalu and others hang on long after they’ve expired, it’s harrowing to hear Willis so honestly say he’s walking away from the game because of the damage it’s done to his body. This is a superstar hanging it up because of injuries — injuries than many would power through for the thrill of the game.

But you can’t question Willis’ love for the game, as he displayed his undying affection for the sport of football on Tuesday by walking away because he can’t hack it the way he feels he needs to. Willis could probably fade into the role so many others who used to be titans are doing now — but he feels that’s unfair to the game.

That’s insanely brave and massively sacred of Willis to do. He’s retiring for his body and his future, but he’s retiring to keep the quality of football on a high level and that’s about as superstar a it gets.

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