Some players cannot afford to take a day off during voluntary OTAs. Perennial NFL All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis is not one of those guys. Yet, organized team activities, even voluntary spring workouts, are mandatory to Willis. And he’s got the perfect attendance certificate to prove it.
According to Profootballtalk.com, Willis, along with 31 of his teammates, was recently recognized by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh with a symbolic certificate and T-shirt for attending every workout during the 2013 offseason.
After the program’s conclusion, Willis spoke to his teammates. “I’m always hungry to be better than I was the year before,” he said. “I feel like, mentally and physically, I‘m in the best shape I’ve been in since I was a rookie.” (See the full interview here.)
Willis’s dedication and leadership serve as reminders to athletes at every level that no matter how far you’ve come, you should never stop working hard. If you’re the star player on your team, putting forth extra effort will not only help you take your game to the next level, it will also set an example for your teammates to follow.
Want to learn how to become a strong leader like Willis? Check out six-year NFL veteran Mike Robinson’s Become a Team Leader Series:
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Some players cannot afford to take a day off during voluntary OTAs. Perennial NFL All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis is not one of those guys. Yet, organized team activities, even voluntary spring workouts, are mandatory to Willis. And he’s got the perfect attendance certificate to prove it.
According to Profootballtalk.com, Willis, along with 31 of his teammates, was recently recognized by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh with a symbolic certificate and T-shirt for attending every workout during the 2013 offseason.
After the program’s conclusion, Willis spoke to his teammates. “I’m always hungry to be better than I was the year before,” he said. “I feel like, mentally and physically, I‘m in the best shape I’ve been in since I was a rookie.” (See the full interview here.)
Willis’s dedication and leadership serve as reminders to athletes at every level that no matter how far you’ve come, you should never stop working hard. If you’re the star player on your team, putting forth extra effort will not only help you take your game to the next level, it will also set an example for your teammates to follow.
Want to learn how to become a strong leader like Willis? Check out six-year NFL veteran Mike Robinson’s Become a Team Leader Series: