Former Bruceton Tiger Patrick Willis will be inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame this year, becoming the 16th inductee from Tennessee.
Willis had a sterling professional career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. He played for the 49ers and before that was a linebacker for Ole Miss. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He led the SEC in tackles during his Ole Miss Days and was a 2015 inductee into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame.
And way before that, he was a standout at Central High School in Bruceton.
Even before his retirement from pro football, Willis has been paying it forward and returns to Bruceton regularly for student training camps and other activities.
Willis will be honored in a June 29 ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Photo: Willis poses in front of a ‘Tigers Have Grit’ display at Bruceton.