Willis denied in bid for Pro Football Hall of Fame

The fourth time wasn't a charm for former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

A finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Willis was denied in his fourth year of eligibility when the Class of 2023 was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors Night.

Those to be enshrined in August wearing gold jackets were left tackle Joe Thomas (Cleveland), cornerback Darrelle Revis (N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay, New England), defensive end DeMarcus Ware (Dallas, Denver), cornerback Ken Riley (Cincinnati), defensive lineman Joe Klecko (N.Y. Jets), cornerback Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay), linebacker Zach Thomas (Miami, Dallas) linebacker Chuck Howley (Dallas) and coach Don Coryell (Cardinals, San Diego).

Howley was the senior nominee and Coryell was named as a coach/contributor.

Willis retired abruptly after eight seasons, citing foot issues which had limited him to five games in the 2014 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his seven full seasons after being a first-round draft pick out of Mississippi and was a fivetime first-team All-Pro selection.

In 2007, Willis was named the A.P. Defensive rookie of the Year.

For his career, Willis had 950 tackles, 20 1/2 sacks and 16 forced fumbles.

Named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2010s, Willis was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Although the longevity issue will remain a question going forward, Willis can be a candidate again in future years. Bryant Young, the 49ers defensive tackle who was enshrined in the Class of 2022, was in his 10th year of eligibility and had been a finalist only once previously in 2019 before making it a year ago.