By PHIL BARBER
With (at least) two great inside linebackers in the Super Bowl, both wearing the same jersey number, everyone has been asking Patrick Willis if he chose No. 52 to honor Ray Lewis.
Willis’ answer has been consistent. Given a few options when drafted by the 49ers in 2007 – and none of them being No. 49, the jersey he wore at Ole Miss – he simply liked 52 best.
“I’m an even-number guy,” Willis explained Wednesday. “Not only am I an even-number guy, but 52 just looked so much better on me, I felt like, than them other numbers would.”
That said, he knew Lewis wore No. 52, and was happy to make the connection to a man who was, at that time, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time Super Bowl MVP.
“What a number to wear, and what a number to uphold your play,” Willis reflected. “Like, hey, kid, there’s another guy that wore this number that’s a good football player, so you can’t get this number, man, and not represent.”
All of this has been repeated a few times lately. But during a media session at the 49ers’ hotel, the New Orleans Marriott, this morning, Willis segued into a fantastic little story about the jersey he wore at Central High School in Bruceton, Tenn.
Take it away, Patrick:
“I remember I was in high school, and a kid had No. 42 before I got to high school. And I’ll never forget, his mom was a substitute teacher. I was in eighth grade, and he was a senior. So when I got to be in ninth grade, his mom’s a substitute teacher, he graduated now and I get the No. 42.
“He was a good football player. He was. He was a tight end. But his mom, every Friday in class, she’d be like, ‘Oh, my baby.’ I’m wearing the jersey, I’m wearing No. 42. I’m a respectable person. I am. And I’m even more respectable if you respect me back at the same time. And she’d be in class, and she’d be like, ‘Oh, my baby wore that jersey. He was a good football player. Nobody ever could wear the number like he wore it.’ Just kept saying all this stuff.
“And all of a sudden one day I just – my dad always told me to respect my elders. But I just got in front of the class, and I said, ‘You know what, Ms. Gold?’ Her name was Ms. Gold. I said, ‘This was your son’s number. But it’s not his number anymore, it’s my number. I just want to say I promise you before I leave high school, nobody will ever know that he wore this number before I did. This number will be known as my number.’
“And here we are, 10 years later, and that number’s retired now. So now when people think about that number, that number will be Patrick Willis’ number. It won’t be who had it before me.”
That’s about as close as you’ll come to hearing Pat Willis boast. Clearly, that substitute teacher struck a nerve that stung the young football star.
Willis went on to make it clear that he isn’t trying to lodge Lewis from the No. 52 pedestal. A 52 Ravens jersey will always mean Ray Lewis. He just wants to ensure that a 52 Niners jersey will always mean Patrick Willis.
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That’s a classic! Good read!
A classic like “It’s A Wonderful Life” kind of classic.
Nice story. Grant never would have written it. He would still be trying to get everyone what a lousy OC the Niners have.
If your Qb can’t pass, how is the OC good? Man, a QB doing great in the NFL that throws 300 yards and leads his team must be a crummy thing for 49ers fans as CK throwing 200 yards is better. No wonder the country is messed up. Glad I can to a QB like Peyton Manning that he had a great game and Schaub leading his team from behind. Anyway, if you can’t pass, you don’t win. That’s fact now, nothing else. Go niners.
A good QB also puts 444 total offense yards and 4 TDs in his first playoff start.
I would’ve liked it better if CK threw for 300, but I guess that’s too much for Harbaugh to do. Can’t have a swell head QB on the team can we?
That is why, when refferring to your past comments, you will never be a happy fan. The 9ers have one of the best and most explosive young QBs in the draft and you complain that he was 30 yards short of throwing over 300 yards. Really? You are too single minded to understand they way the 49ers play football. They run the ball to set up the pass, not the other way around. They play to their strenghts. Kaep can easily throw for over 300 yards if he attempted 30 passes (since his yards/attempt is close to 10) but then they could lose the game due to a change in identity. They have Frank Gore and the best run blocking line in the league. Stop complaining and nit picking. Enjoy the ride cause it’s going to be fun, not just for this year and this game but for years to come. You can keep threatening to kill yourself or you can choose to be happy. Its really that simple.
Dude,
Please dont engage with the troll.
Seriously Dude,
You might end up locked in a basement.
23
I’ll take your advice. I’ve been reading these blogs for three years and I’ve never read such weird and asinine stuff put out by Darren on this site and sacbee. I don’t make comments that much, I usually just enjoy the conversations you guys have, but I thought I would give it a try and whack some sense into Darren. I give up but at least I am loving this season, our coach, new QB, and the rest of the bunch. Enjoy the Super Bowl everyone and keep up the good conversations.
Darren,
Usually qb’s throw for 300 yards because they are down by a lot and the just have to keep throwing. Like Brady against the niners, he threw for 400 something yards
Darren,
Usually qb’s throw for 300 yards because they are down by a lot and the just have to keep throwing. Like Brady against the niners, he threw for 400 something yards and who won?
Dude – I hope you post more in here, you’re good. Your avatar has those same spooky eyes as Hoferfan’s avatar. :) Where has Hofer been?
27-13 Niners!!! When’s the last time Niners had a defensive TD? They are overdue for one.
Totally uncalled for cheap shot which absolutely has no merit. Bush league at best.
referring to comment by Arjinca
Dude, I’ve given up. I just wanted Smith to be the one to take us to the superbowl. He’s worked so hard and it’s not right they took it from him. If they trade him, you know it’s to a bad team as they won’t do business with Arizona. I just feel the 49ers lack an identity. Look I’m sorry if I feel that the Superbowl feels like cheating when we changed our QB during the season.
If you’re so upset for Smith perhaps you should just get away from the computer. Go out with friends. Take a long walk. Read a book. Take a trip to Hawaii. If you hurry, you can leave now and come back some time next week. The rest of us who care about the team – instead of just 1 player – will let you know how Smith played in the Superbowl. Just ask when you get back.
And sadly, it wasn’t even a coherent thought. Typical.
Got a friend at work, he says the same thing to me. I’m still a 49er fan, but I guess I don’t know how to go about it as I once did. I got trolled so bad over 10 years ago that i’m just too reserved. Every little mistake the 49ers make from a penalty to one dropped pass, it just sets me off. I hope it’s over quickly. I don’t care of the score anymore. I want the 49ers I’m used to back.
Oops shoulda refreshed, got hijacked by more nonsense.
classic story, made me LOL.
moral: do not get in the way of Patrick Willis and his will to win.
“I don’t know who they think we are. We’re on a mission”-Patrick Willis
I loved that quote! Which game was it? One of the Sunday nighters?
After the first game @GB.
Lewis is great ..sure ..
but, I bet at the end of the game PWillis will have more
tackles than Ray
Story on Kaepernick and not wanting to meet his birth mother on ESPN.com today.
I have to say that we’ve heard all the reasons why he shouldn’t, and I am still sort of in the camp that might call her a gold digger, but after reading this I’m quite unsure about how I would feel about it if it were me. Maybe he should just pick up the phone and call, but make it clear he’s not ready for anything further yet.
Tough call..
Fourth & Colin?
I think it is pretty lame that she is talking about it with the media. He isn’t interested in meeting her, that is his choice. It turns my stomach that Reilly wrote the article. Some thing really don’t need to be aired in the media. We have no business knowing what is going on in kaeps personal family life.
Obviously doesn’t like CK so they’ll just make up something else about him. CK needs to put up better numbers. You can win all you want with 200 yards, but they won’t add up.
“You can win all you want with 200 yards, but they won’t add up.”
Actually yes, those wins will add up.
Adam,
Was that some kind of shot at me? I couldn’t decipher your response.
My opinion is that it’s just a difficult situation all around. I’m going to be a first time dad in about 8 months so I’ve started to get those natural parental feelings recently whereas if you asked me back in December I probably would have said screw her she gave him up.
Colin may have some maturing to do to realize no one’s perfect, especially a parent, but at the same time she could be a complete attention whore and a gold digger as well.
I have no idea either way. It’s just a tough thing to deal with for all involved.
I think it is a personal decision, but it also shows a strange disconnect. Steve jobs did the same thing, his dad didn’t need the money though.
I feel bad for Alex Smith. He really looked down yesterday. I feel torn as a 49er fan: giving him a ring would be classless. Does he have to take it if he doesn’t want it? Anyway, it’s great to be my own 49er fan.
Darren .. do you have anything else you can talk about
concerning the Niners ..?
We know you’re stalking Alex .. and, frankly..
I got a feeling no one on this blog wants to hear about your
man-crush anymore..
So.. change the subject…
or STFU
MW Niner, lets not act like a kindergarten 49er fan please. Boy, you’re the type that whines to Limbaugh and Savage I bet. OK, I would’ve started CK in week 1 like a normal team would have. The story on Willis was great and touching.
I would very much appreciate it if you quit using the following: trolling, stalking, racism, racist, hater, whiner, Smither, or whatever else you use for fellow 49ers fans. I didn’t know disagreement, counter points, dedication was excluded from NFL like right and wrong.
Hi Vee…
No…that troll didn’t wind up here, did he?
I feel bad for Alex too. I mean he is making like 9 million bucks this year and because Harbaugh resurrected his career he will be the top QB in free agency. A lot better options this year than last year when lonely Miami was checking up on him. But ya, what a poor sap.
this time, Smith is going the right route. He’ll get released, you wait and see. No way the 49ers will trade with Arizona, and that’s too bad too. They rather deal with easy teams and put Smith on a bad team.
Daring,
Who is this Alex Smith you keep talking about?
Whitner after a powerful hit on Julio Jones, “I’m a man!”.
Mike Gundy objects to that.
ESPN expert Super Bowl picks:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks
/Facepalm. That doesn’t surprise me. That’s why I don’t like that site if they don’t know a thing. I’m still saying 6 to 3 somebody.
Darren/DS94everXev – This is the only reponse you’ll ever get from me. I have diagnosed you with having “agoraphobia.”
I noticed an add on a giant bilboard last week for a place called Brookhaven Retreat. Please do the right thing and contact them, they can probably assist you with your situation. Good luck……..get well soon.
For the record Crab, I’m not this fan or that fan that you have had problems with, and let me add that ALL forums have their share of ‘problems.’ It’s OK if the 49ers win. Sure I’ll be disappointed, but hey, they’re gone after next year and I couldn’t be any happier. Maybe the NFL can put another team in san Francisco.
Darren,
Honestly, I feel bad for you that your life is so empty that you resort to thriving on negative attention. You are sick or have a disability.
Where’s Boomer’s pick?
Here is the thing Crabs, I hate predictions, however when Steven A Smith and Skip Bayless debate. Steven A is always wrong and Skip is usually correct, Bayless has picked the Niners since the start of the season and now we have a lights out QB. Although I always worry, never over confident.
Neal (real deal) – I tend to agree with Skippy more than Stephen A. Smith in their debates. Skippy actually picked Patriots to beat Niners in Super Bowl way back. He was close.
What are your Super Bowl plans bro? Do you wear Niner jersey? Which one? My wife bought a Kap jersey last week at NFL shop, should be here by Friday. I have not worn my Crabtree jersey since we got wacked by Giants 26-3. MC has played great since I stopped wearin it but I am going to wear it Sunday. So don’t expect MC to be MVP Sunday. :)
Don’t jinx it Crabs, stay with what is working!
Hey Crabs,
Hahahah Skippy I love it. As far as my Super Bowl plans, would normally go over best friend’s house, he is a season ticket holder, however he is going to the game with his GF, it is crazy ,he is flying into Houston on Saturday, renting a car, driving to Louisiana, about 4 hours from the stadium, staying at hotel overnight, then drive to the game, he already has a spot reserved, then he will do the same thing on Sunday Night. Lucky bastard !!
There a possibility other buddy will be having Super Bowl party in Alamo, but nothing has been set yet, may just watch the game at home with family. I do not have a jersey but have a real nice long sleeve Niner shirt, that I will be wearing. Kaep jersey is cool, would love one of those.
Neal (real deal) – Is your friend loaded? Lucky dude. Have a good one, whichever party you attend. I hope you’re still live blogging somehow.
I would not say he is loaded but his GF is pretty well off, but they go 1/2 and 1/2 in expenses, they are also season ticket holders for the Sharks, so their logic is, since the Sharks are only playing 48 games this season, the money he saved from the hockey strike missed games will go to the Super Bowl fund. If I am at party probably not, but at home, for sure.
Prime Time – You had to mess with my mind, now I’ll be thinking about the jinx. :)
My other Niner shirts have shrunk the last couple years or I’m gaining beer pounds. I’ve been wearing them but they’re too damn tight now (like a lame Simon Cowell shirt).
Have to agree w/Prime (gasp!). I’m wearing the same beat-up generic 49er t-shirt I’ve been wearing most of the last two seasons. Maybe I’ll put the new Kaep jersey over it to hide the bleach stain, lol!
I tried a new Gore shirt during the NFCC Game – got paranoid and changed back to the old t-shirt after the first quarter…rest is history :-).
Hey Crab!!
What’s your prediction for Sunday’s game? Think we’ll win by a lot or make it a close one?
Hey 9erGirl!! The more I thought about it…. It’s harder to beat the Saints in New Orleans than the Ravens. 27-13 Niners!!
This is when the “Great” players leave their legacy. I can’t wait to see Patrick, Vernon, Frank, Justin, Joe, Ect play this Sunday. They are going to shock the world and there is going to be some amazing plays that will live on forever.
6 to 3, that’s the superbowl score, 6 to 3, all FGs, no touchdown, 200 yards from the QBs.
In case anyone is interest in some pre Super Bowl coverage
(hype ?)
http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/47/live/wednesday
Darren ..
If everyone ignores you..
will you go away ?
Don’t like the way I’m a 49er fan, who cares? I should’ve used Jeff Garcia as my real name.
I don’t think I have ever in 30+ years of watching, playing, and talking ad nauseum football have I ever seen someone call themselves a fan of the team, but feel like that team’s ultimate victory is hollow, simply because one player on that team wasn’t starting for it. Did you feel this way when Parys Harylson lost his starting job this year to Aldon Smith before he went down with injury? Is the game going to have less meaning for you because the 9ers will be without three starting wide receivers for the game?
And, ask any Steeler fan from the 1970s, or even a current Ravens fan, how they feel about their Super Bowl titles, knowing that their qb wasn’t considered ‘elite’ (you know, breaking that 300 yard passing mark you are so intent on pining over).
Either that, Darren, or maybe you should just quit pretending to be a football fan.
Trolls are neither ignorant or immature they are members of an internet tribe. they go to sites and compare notes on how to create havoc on blogs. They are the kind of people who create computer viruses because they can. They are generally highly intelligent computer savy 20 somethings who still live with their mothers.
There is only one way to get them to go away. Over the next 30 days or so we have to collectively ignore him. starting Now
So Darren is not a troll, is what you are saying.
what gave it away?
“Highly intelligent”.
elMag (Tutomate) – What’s up bro? We’re gettin number 6! The key was losing to Ravens last year, no way Jim loses to his brother 2 times in a row.
27-13 Niners!
You calling Grant a troll?
Sorry, couldn’t resist cheap shot :-)
Or Grant could just take control of the blog and kick the loser out. It’s a blog for fans, not people that have nothing better to do but annoy others. This person is here because they have alienated everybody else in their life and get off on it.
Well, Chris Culliver stepped in it:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/30/chris-culliver-makes-homophobic-remarks-during-media-day/
Focus, man, focus.
“I don’t do the gay guys man,” Culliver said.
So you only do straight guys?
Seriously, sometimes I wonder how these guys ever made it through college. Shut your pie hole and play the game.
9er reply:
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/71768/49ers-reject-cullivers-disparaging-comments
And I thought Randy Moss won the award for dumbest comments yesterday…..guess not.
Will the Org just put a gag order on all 49er players already!
First Randy and now Cully. I fear for what is said next.
Sheesh…
Wassup to all my fellow Niners fans! I found this today. It’s a chance to get a FREE 16×20 framed 49ers photo from the Super Bowl. Man when we win, I want that celebration shot on my wall!!!! Here is the link: http://www.the49ersphotos.com
Go Niners. Here is filling out the second with 6 rings!