Win or lose, Ray Lewis will retire following Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. But as the legendary Baltimore Ravens linebacker hangs up his shoulder pads for good, he will metaphorically pass the torch to the next great NFL linebacker — the San Francisco 49ers’ Patrick Willis, who just happens to be in the opposing locker room.
In an era in which defense has become very limited in its ability to impede opposing offenses for the sake of “player safety”, Willis has emerged as one of the NFL’s elite defensive players. Built in the same mold as Lewis — i.e., boasting phenomenal physical tools that make him a difficult task for any opposing offense to slow down — Willis has quickly developed into a game changer for the 49ers.
The similarities between the two defensive stalwarts are hard to ignore.
The obvious: both men play inside linebacker. But both men also don the number 52 while standing 6’1” and weighing in at 240 pounds.
Lewis and Willis have each won multiple NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year awards and are perennial Pro Bowl selections. They are both unquestionable talents on the field and in the huddle, where they are dependable and valuable leaders for their respective football teams.
Oh, and they both play for a Harbaugh.
Much like Lewis in Baltimore, Willis has been an immovable force at the inside linebacker position within the Niners’ 3-4 defense. He has recorded at least 120 tackles in five of his six NFL seasons, including 25 tackles for a loss over the last three seasons (h/t TeamRankings.com). He is well-versed in pass coverage, and even when asked to rush the passer with 17 1/2 sacks in his career.
Also like Lewis, Willis is a fierce competitor whose mere existence strikes fear in opposing offenses. Offensive coordinators game plan with the hope of avoiding him at all costs. And why wouldn’t they? In his six years in the league, the 49er’s linebacker has nearly as many forced fumbles (14) as Lewis has in his entire 17-year career (19). He is a punishing tackler who often makes ball carriers regret ever entering his territory. His speed and vision allow him to cover so much ground that there aren’t too many places on the field that couldn’t be considered Willis’ territory.
Patrick “Bam-Bam” Willis’ dominance has allowed other stars to be born on the 49ers’ defense. Fellow linebacker NaVorro Bowman has posted consecutive seasons with over 140 tackles. Lewis has accomplished much of the same in Baltimore with defending Defensive Player of the Year and fellow linebacker Terrell Suggs alongside him.
Players like Ray Lewis are a dying breed in the NFL today because the league’s new rules have rendered what was once considered “defense” as useless and illegal. But Willis is a last hope. He is a reminder of the brutal blood sport that the game of football became so beloved for. His physicality is something that fans hold dear to their heart and it is what has made Lewis such an icon.
At the end of Super Bowl XLVII, Lewis may get the chance to hold Lombardi Trophy once more. But as he passes it along to his teammates, so too will his legacy — representing what fans still believe it means to be a football player — be passed onto the NFL’s next great linebacker, Patrick Willis.
Louis Musto is a contributor to the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.