When Patrick Willis was starting his NFL career, he was already thinking about the end.
A first-round pick in 2007, Willis would have conversations with fellow San Francisco 49ers linebackers Jeff Ulbrich, Derek Smith and Brandon Moore about what happened after football. That’s uncommon for a rookie. Like most NFL players, Willis’ teammates were focused on the here and now.
Willis focused too. That’s how he became a seven-time Pro Bowler. But he always had thoughts about how he wanted his football journey to end.
“The way I look at things, death is guaranteed.