Patrick Willis announces retirement: 'I gave this game everything I had'

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is calling it a career.

The seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro announced his retirement at a tear-filled press conference Tuesday.

"Here I am today, not as a perfect man, but as an honest man. I have no regrets," Willis said.

Willis cited his health (and repeated injuries to his feet, specifically) as the primary reason he's stepping away from the game at age 30.

"I gave this game everything I had. I've had the most amazing eight years of my life being a part of this organization."

"Patrick epitomizes everything you could ever want in a San Francisco 49er," team CEO Jed York said of Willis. "What he brought to this team goes much further than his athletic abilities. His leadership and infectious love for the game helped propel this team."

Willis, the 11th overall pick in 2007, was the rare player who stepped into the league as one of its best players and remained that way throughout his career.

Willis started all 112 games in which he appeared during his career and registered 1,225 tackles, 20.5 sacks, eight interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 53 passes defensed. He also started eight playoff games and registered 84 tackles, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.