Patrick Willis has added a new title to his resume: children’s book author.
The former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024, released “Patrick Willis: Journey to the Hall of Fame.” The book is a 36-page illustrated autobiography aimed at young readers.
Willis told The Athletic’s Daniel Brown that the project has been a lifelong goal running parallel to his football career.
“Because I wanted to be that light,” Willis said. “The light that I wanted to see in the world.”
Published through Blue Hat Publishing, the book traces Willis’ path from a trailer at the end of Buck Ditch Road in Bruceton, Tenn. — where he didn’t have running water until age 8 — to Canton. Willis overcame a speech impediment, struggled academically as early as third grade, and was initially passed over by the University of Tennessee before becoming the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from Ole Miss in 2006 with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in English
Willis deliberately chose the children’s format to keep his story simple and authentic, co-writing the book with former 49ers community relations executive Joanne Pasternack. He cited concerns about the embellishments that can accompany big-time publishing.
“By creating such a simple representation of his journey,” Pasternack said, “it felt more authentic to who he is and what he wanted to share.
Willis spent eight seasons with the 49ers, finishing his career with 950 total tackles, 20.5 sacks and eight interceptions while earning seven Pro Bowl selections. He also won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007 and earned AP first-team All-Pro honors five times. His retirement in 2014 came earlier than most expected, but his resume needed no padding before he was named to the Hall of Fame a decade later.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Patrick Willis wrote a children’s book inspired by his life story
Reporting by Oliver G., Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Oliver G., Niners Wire | USA TODAY Network
