Patrick Willis and Bryant Young didn’t spend a ton of time playing on the same team, but their one season together was enough for the 14-year veteran defensive lineman to make an impression on the rookie linebacker.
Willis in November joined the Candlestick Chronicles podcast and talked about his one year with Young, who retired following the 2007 season. While the former 49ers linebacker talked about some of the off-field wisdom Young imparted, there was an on-field ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment that also sticks out when Willis recounts his rookie year.
“The one play in particular that I do remember,” Willis said. “We were playing against the St. Louis Rams, and we were playing them at home, and I’ll never forget B.Y. had done a club – he had this powerful club move that he would do where he would step-step and club you – and man I saw him hit an offensive guard and just complete de-cleat him. Like a bowling ball and a bowling pin and you see a bowling pin fall over? That’s what he did to him. And I’ll never forget saying to myself, ‘Holy (expletive), man! These are grown men. These are grown men out here.’ That’s what I was thinking in my head, and I’m glad I’m on his side.”
