49ers decade in review: Ranking the 15 most infamous moments
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Patrick Willis’ Sudden Retirement in 2015
Playoff losses stink, and the 49ers experienced a good enough share of them during the decade.
But in what winds up as the most infamous and painful memory for Niners fans over the last 10 years is one of those retirements, Patrick Willis.
Yes, Willis had been dealing with injuries over the previous few seasons. And no one would ever have the right to question his decision to call it a career, of course, although those later rumors of a potential return to the NFL surely caught some attention.
Still, Willis’ shocking announcement during the 2015 offseason signaled the end of an era. San Francisco fans were mostly able to absorb a lot of the other departures and retirements, outside of Frank Gore, perhaps. But Willis embodied the team and was such a fan favorite, it’s still hard for the 49ers Faithful not to tear up when they go back and watch his retirement announcement:
On the positive note, which is a way Niner Noise can spin the top 15 most infamous moments of the last decade, at least the Faithful can appreciate having been able to watch Willis create a worthy Hall of Fame resume, as both he and NaVorro Bowman combined to make arguably the best linebacking tandem in NFL history.
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So, while Niners fans everywhere were thrilled and lucky to have watched Willis’ exceptional career, his retirement is something that hurts just a bit more than everything else bad that transpired during the decade.