Interview and photos courtesy of Buddy Smothers


Former Central High School football standout Patrick Willis presents an official 49ers game jersey to Buddy Smothers, his former high school teacher.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - As a child playing with friends in the front yard of his home in Smyrna in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Patrick Willis dreamed of playing football in the National Football League like his hero Emmett Smith of the Dallas Cowboys.

Deciding to strive to make his dream a reality, Willis began to relentlessly work to improve his speed, strength and athleticism.

Once chided by childhood friends for being chubby and slow, Willis began to evolve into an athletic force to be reckoned with.

During his high school football career at Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School, Willis’ hard work and sacrifice earned him two All-State first team selections, a 2003 West Tennessee Player of the Year honor, and 2003 Mr. Football Lineman Award. Willis holds the distinction of being the only player in Tennessee high school football history to be nominated for the Mr. Football lineman and defensive award in the same year.

Snubbed by the University of Tennessee Volunteers, the single A West Tennessee phenom accepted a football scholarship from then Ole Miss Head Coach David Cutcliff.

Patrick Willis stands beside his position coach, Bears Hall-of-Famer Mike Singletary.

Fueled by desire, Willis broke through the ranks of obscurity to earn first team All-American status his junior and senior years and gain recognition as one of the greatest players in collegiate football history.

Drafted 11th overall in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, the Butkus Award winner stunned 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan and linebackers coach Mike Singletary during fall practice, earning the starting job at middle linebacker.

Exploding from the gate, Willis led the NFL in total tackles (174) and earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and NFL first team Pro Bowl.

Based on his stellar rookie season, Willis was selected by his teammates as the team’s 2008 defensive captain.

Retired Central High School educator and WFWL-WRJB sportscaster Buddy Smothers, accompanied by Willis’ former legal guardian Chris Finley and Smothers’ nephew Michael Miller, flew to San Francisco to watch his former student start for the 49ers against the Arizona Cardinals on September 7.

Smothers was afforded the opportunity to stand on the sidelines prior to the game and view the contest from seats positioned behind the 49ers squad located at the fifty-yard line.

Despite a solid performance, the 49ers fell to the Cardinals in the season-opener. (San Francisco has rebounded to win their last two games.)

Following the game, Smothers interviewed Willis.

Smothers began by asking, “Patrick, what is different for you as a starter this year as opposed to starting last year?”

Willis responded, “Coach, the big thing is that I know what to expect and just have to go out there and do my job. I have learned a lot since my rookie season, and paid a lot of attention to detail. I believe our team will win more games than we did last year.”

Smothers asked, “Has being named defensive captain by your teammates in only your second year in the NFL added any pressure?”

Willis replied, “Pressure is always there, and you just have to accept it and not let it bother you. I will say that I am grateful for the honor and appreciate my teammates understanding my commitment. I am going to give my best every time I put on my helmet, be it practice or a game. I also want to say that I am truly thankful and grateful and praise God for his blessing on my life. I am nothing without Him, and thankful He has allowed me to reach this place and do well.”

Smothers asked, “Patrick, I know that a lot of people remember your linebacker coach Mike Singletary from his days as a wide-eyed All-Pro Hall-of-Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears. He was one of the best to play the game. I also know that he is a strong and dedicated Christian that you can talk to about the Lord in addition to talking about football.”

Willis said, “You are right. He and I have gotten close. Last year, he was tough on me and made me earn his respect, and I am grateful for that. I had to prove to him that I was willing to do the job the right way with no shortcuts. He demands that a player give his all.”

He continued, “Personally, I think Coach Singletary is as good of a motivational speaker as he is a coach. He is a good person with a big heart. I know that so many people remember him as the wide-eyed linebacker for the Bears, but he is much more than that. He is a tremendous teacher with a wealth of knowledge. He has taught me a lot about techniques and has helped me become a better football player.”

He continued, “I am glad he (Singletary) stayed with the 49ers after turning down a college head coaching job last year at his alma mater (Baylor University). Thank God he stayed. I feel comfortable now talking to him. Last year, I just listened and didn’t say much. I would run over to the sidelines after a defensive series and he would ask me questions about what the other team was doing and I had a hard time communicating with him because I didn’t know what to say. That has changed since last year, now I know how to tell him what is happening so we can make adjustments. I was asked to be the defensive leader in the huddle last year, but I didn’t feel comfortable in accepting that responsibility. Through hard work and study, I feel prepared to perform that role this year.”

He added, “I know there will come a time sooner or later when he (Singletary) will move on or I will move on. That is just part of how this business works. People come and go. I had four different position coaches over a four-year span at Ole Miss. I know how things can change. But…I can honestly say that I am grateful that coach Singletary returned as my position coach this year. I am thankful for this time I have with Coach Singletary.”

Smothers queried, “Patrick, share your feelings regarding your former Ole Miss coach (and current New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator) Ed Orgeron.”

Willis said, “I will always be grateful for Coach Orgeron for his belief in me and for giving me the chance to start at middle linebacker for Ole Miss. I am looking forward to seeing him when the 49ers play the Saints and thanking him once again for coaching me and helping me become a better football player. I think the world of him.”

He added, “To play for Coach Orgeron, you had to tear it up, sweat and bleed with a passion for the game just like he has. I feel that same way about Coach Singletary. You have to be willing to give everything you have everyday. I like that.”

Smothers said, “Patrick, a lot of people follow you back home. What would you like to say to them?”

He said, “I just want to say thank you to all my friends, family, supporters and fans. I want everyone to know that I am going to continue to do all that I can to make West Tennessee proud. I ask that that they continue to believe in me in the good and bad times and know that I am going to give this my all. God bless you, and thank you for your support.”

Standing in the lobby of the San Francisco Airport prior to boarding the plane flight back to Tennessee, Smothers, speaking with Willis’ legal guardian Chris Finley, asked, “Chris, I know that you attend all of Patrick’s football games. I imagine spending a lot of time at the airport has become second-nature to you.”

Finley replied, “I spend a lot of time in airports. You arrive two hours early and just mill around until it is time to go. Some people would probably not like it, but I do. It gives you an opportunity to meet people and talk to them.”

Finley laughed, “Once people hear my southern accent, they start pinpointing where I am from. They usually guess Tennessee. They also guess I am from either Memphis or Nashville. They ask about Graceland and the Grand Ole Opry. From my travels, I have come to realize that Tennessee is a pretty well-known state.”

Smothers asked, “How does Patrick like the city of San Francisco?”

Finley said, “Coach, he is a bit of a homebody and doesn’t get out much. He has lived here for almost two years and I don’t think he has been to Fisherman’s Wharf or seen a lot of the sights San Francisco is known for. He isn’t much of a tourist. I always take people who come out for a visit on a tour of the town and hit the hot spots like driving across the Golden Gate Bridge or stopping to watch the seals play on the piers at Fisherman’s Wharf.”

He continued, “Patrick, however, has a different mindset. He knows that he is out here to do a job. He stays close to the 49ers training facility in case he might need to do a little rehab or conditioning. He is dedicated and puts in a lot of time training and conditioning. He knows that the team recently signed two young linebackers that would like to take his job. He is aware that has to continue to work hard to be successful.”

He added, “The thing that always impresses me is when I look around the stands during 49ers games at Candlestick Park and see so many number 52 jerseys (Willis wears 52). I see just as many number 52s as number 21 jerseys worn by 49ers runningback Frank Gore. Also, to look down on the field next to the 49ers team area and see this gigantic poster advertising the 49ers Website that says “put your game face on” with a huge photo of Patrick’s face is just incredible. He has made a name for himself, and is a recognized leader of the 49ers.”

He concluded, “Patrick wanted the role of defensive captain and understands how important it is. He also knows that most of the NFL teams the 49ers will face this year are keenly aware of his having led the NFL in tackles last year and have modified their offensive schemes to focus on blocking him. He is learning how to fight off additional blockers that have been added to stop him. He is learning to modify and adjust.”