Willis Overcomes Obstacles

Patrick Willis, an award-wining linebacker, is vying to become a first-round draft pick in the NFL draft in April. He is definitely turning loss into gain. Michael Marot tells the story through an AP wire.

When Patrick was four years old his mother abandoned him and three siblings. They lived with a disinterested dad. Two years later, he was cooking meals for his siblings and by age 10, was working in Tennessee’s cotton fields with his grandmother, earning $110 per week. The money went to his dad so he could pay family bills.
As a teenager, Patrick and sibs had to find another place to live because of abuse in the home. He earned a football scholarship to U. of Mississippi where he led the nation as a junior, with 90 solo tackles despite playing with a broken finger, sprained knee, sprained foot and a separated shoulder. As a senior, he finished the season with 137 tackles, was All-American and winner of the Butkus award as the nation’s top linebacker.

In 22 years, he has overcome more obstacles, challenges and disappointment than most people experience in a lifetime and Willis believes the tribulations have helped him grow as a player, too. “My real-life experience taught me how to compete through adversity, “ he said. “No matter what happens, if someone knocks you down, you have to find a way to get up and get the job done. That’s what you have to do.”
Loss, pain – to gain. I for one, am cheering him on to a first round draft pick!