placed Willis on the injured reserve list soon after the surgery. After struggling with a toe injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2014, Willis announced his retirement on March 10, 2015. NFL career statistics Regular season Postseason Awards and honors NFL NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2007) 5× First-team All-Pro (2007, 2009–2012) Second-team All-Pro (2008) 7× Pro Bowl (2007–2013) 2× NFL tackles leader (2007, 2009) NFL 2010s All-Decade Team PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007) Butkus Award (pro) (2009) San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame College Butkus Award (college) (2006) Jack Lambert Trophy (2006) SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2006) 2× First-team All-American (2005, 2006) 2× First-team All-SEC (2005, 2006) Personal life Willis was separated from his biological father at the age of 17, with his mother leaving him when he was a child, and along with his three siblings moved in with his parental guardians, Willis' high school basketball coach, Chris Finley, and his wife, Julie. Willis's brother, Detris, drowned in 2006 while swimming with his friends. His uncle, Arthur Willis, was a professional super middleweight boxer who later fought future world champion James Toney to a split decision. He holds a degree in criminal justice and envisions a future in law enforcement. Willis is a Christian. Willis says his grandmother told him about Jesus. Willis talks about his faith when he plays saying, "No matter the outcome of a game, my No. 1 goal is to glorify God. I always pray, 'Lord, I don't know what today's game is going to be like, but I pray that you bless me to go out here and play for you. Be a soldier for your army, go out here and lead this team the way you want me to lead it.'" References External links Official Website Ole Miss Rebels bio San Francisco 49ers bio 1985 births All-American college football players American football middle linebackers Living people National Conference Pro Bowl players National Football League Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winners Ole Miss Rebels football players People from Carroll County, Tennessee Players of American football from Tennessee San Francisco 49ers players Unconferenced Pro Bowl players