This weekend is the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. San Francisco 49ers general manager, John Lynch, is one of the inductees. The 49ers have no former players being inducted, but NFL.com writer Adam Rank believes one former 49er may have been snubbed by not even being selected as a finalist.
In his article predicting the 2022 modern-era Hall of Fame class, Rank lists former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis as one of the players he would vote in. Speaking of Willis, he writes, "It's wild to me that Willis wasn't even a finalist last year. I don't know what more you want from the man. He dominated throughout his entire career. Was it not long enough for you? The guy was a five-time first-team All-Pro. He was an All-Pro in FIVE OF HIS EIGHT YEARS. I want a 30 For 30 on why he wasn't a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Because it defies logic."
Rank, who has recently found himself on the good side of 49ers fans, in spite of his 2019 season prediction, makes a great argument. Willis played for the 49ers from 2007-2014, and was the best player on a very good defense. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons.
Willis was one of the most dominant defensive stars during his playing career. Critics suggest Willis did not play long enough to make the Hall of Fame. But there have been other players, namely former Broncos running back Terrell Davis, who were inducted even though they didn't play as long as others. Davis only played seven seasons.
Time will tell what the voters decide. But 49ers fans will no doubt agree with Rank on this one.
- Marc Adams
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Written by:Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
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