Patrick Willis is set to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Willis spent his entire distinguished NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, who made him the No. 11 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Over his eight NFL seasons, he accumulated seven Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honors.
Fred Warner, a current 49ers linebacker, appears to be on a similar Hall-of-Fame trajectory. Widely regarded as the best off-ball linebacker in the game, Warner has been the heart of the 49ers defense and a key factor in the team's success.
The 49ers held their first training camp practice today, and after the Wednesday morning session, Warner was asked about Willis' impact on the game.
"One of the best to ever do it," Warner told reporters. "When you talk about linebacker play, you're always going to talk about the way the game's supposed to be played at that position, and he did it through and through with the tenacity, the speed, the violence.
"You talk about what the league has kind of evolved into, and linebackers who can do it all ... that type of linebacker, playing with that speed, that violence, the physicality that you want to see, he did it at such a high level here, and that's what I'm always chasing."
Warner has earned several accolades during his NFL career, including three Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors. The 49ers' star defender is thrilled to see Willis finally earn the recognition he deserves.
"I'm so happy for him getting that gold jacket," Warner added. "Super well-deserved."