Patrick Willis loved the game of football. That came through often as he announced he was stepping away from the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL.
But his decision to retire at age 30 was health related. Of all the things to bring down the massive inside linebacker, it was his feet. He referenced his feet, and his toes, often as he announced his retirement. They just didn't cooperate like he wanted to anymore.
His 2014 season was shortened due to a left big toe injury, and he had surgery on it after he was put on injured reserve. He couldn't run around like he did when he was making five All-Pro teams and seven Pro Bowls.
"It’s something about these feet," Willis said during his retirement press conference, broadcast on the 49ers' web site. "When you don’t have no feet – and that’s what made me who I am.
"I no longer have that in these feet to go out there and to give you guys that kind of ‘Wow.’ I came in with it, and I feel like I’ve done my best to go out with it."
Willis could have stuck around for a while longer, and even some mediocre years would have helped his Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy. It will be a lot harder for him with just an eight-year NFL resume. But he spoke of seeing former players who have trouble walking or playing with their kids, and he didn't want that to happen to him.
"People see that and they feel sorry then, but nobody knows it’s because you played those few extra years that for whatever reason you chose to play," Willis said. "It’s my health first, and everything else kind of just makes sense around it."
It was an emotional day, as Willis was clearly loved and respected around the franchise. 49ers coach Jim Tomsula, who has been around Willis for years as an assistant, spoke slowly because he was emotional.
"Pat will change a lot of lives," Tomsula said. "Pat's one of those guys who is going to make a difference in the world on a greater scope than he was able to do now."
Willis broke down in tears. He spoke about being humbled to play in the NFL and for the 49ers, how as a kid he would watch games on television and dream of playing under the big stadium lights.
It's not that Willis wanted to stop playing. He just wanted to stop playing on his own terms, with his health mostly intact. It was time.
"I feel like I have no regrets standing up here today, as I had no regrets yesterday and the day before, as I know I’ll have no regrets tomorrow," Willis said. "Because one thing I’ve always lived by is giving everything you’ve got today so when you look back tomorrow you don’t feel ashamed because you left anything on the table. I feel like there will not have been a day in my career when I don’t feel like … "
Willis paused for a few moments as he broke down, then he continued.
"I gave this game everything I had," Willis said.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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