From living in a backwoods home that did not have running water to becoming one of best middle linebackers in the NFL, Patrick Willis’s journey to achieve success has been long and difficult.

After a difficult upbringing that forced him to grow up too fast, Willis was able to overcome many challenges in his life and do what he loved professionally. He is truly an inspirational figure.

Willis grew up with three siblings under the care of a single, abusive and drug addicted father. At age 10, Willis began working in cotton fields during the summer to support his family. As his father became increasingly violent, Willis filled the role of the father figure for his siblings.

When he entered high school, Willis became a star athlete in football, basketball and baseball. Willis’s basketball coach, Chris Finley, became close with the teenager and adopted Willis and his three siblings when they were taken from their father by the Department of Child Services.

Under the care of his basketball coach, Willis was able to focus on athletics, eventually securing an athletic scholarship to the University of Mississippi. During Willis’s final year in college, his brother Detris drowned. Willis dedicated his final collegiate football season to his brother, and played with multiple injuries, including a broken hand.

After having an incredible career at Ole Miss, Willis was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007. In his eight seasons with the 49ers, Willis led the league in tackles twice and made the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons. His career ended when he announced his retirement in March 2015.

I began watching football during the 2011 season and I quickly fell in love with the game. Willis’s hard hitting style quickly made him one of my favorite players to watch. About a year later, I saved up money and purchased my first sports jersey. I gave it a lot of thought and decided to do a little research on the players I liked. I learned Willis’s story and was immediately moved by what he had been through and what he overcame. The choice was easy; Willis’s jersey would be my choice.

Willis inspires me to keep on going and to take each setback as it comes. When I consider the hardships that Willis went through, I look at my life and realize how lucky I am to have been given what I have been given. I admire Willis’s undying will to be the best and obtain something better. To accomplish so much, but to still be so humble is truly inspirational.

Willis said, “Power isn’t just about going forward. It’s about not letting anything hold you back.” I strive to be like Willis, and you should too.