Faithful Flashbacks #61: Patrick Willis’ First Interception

Faithful Flashbacks revisits Patrick Willis’ 86-yard pick-six that flipped a divisional overtime win in Seattle.

Jun 12, 2026, 5:00 AM

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In honor of the San Francisco 49ers celebrating their 80th anniversary, Sactown Sports is kicking off a countdown of the 80 greatest moments in the franchise’s illustrious history in reverse order called “Faithful Flashbacks.”

From Super Bowl-winning plays to overperforming teams that had minimal expectations, there’s plenty to choose from the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of the Sactown Sports’ staffers before results were compiled into a full list that will count down to the 49ers’ 2026 NFL regular season debut against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10th.

Faithful Flashbacks -- San Francisco 49ers 80 Best Moments

Coming in at No. 61 on our ‘Faithful Flashbacks’ countdown of the 80 best moments in 49ers history is Patrick Willis’ game-changing pick-six in Seattle, which was also the first interception of his eventual Hall of Fame career.

Willis did not need long to establish himself as the centerpiece of the 49ers’ defense. San Francisco selected the Ole Miss linebacker with the 11th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and he immediately lived up to that draft position by earning Defensive Rookie of the Year, First-Team All-Pro, and Pro Bowl honors in year one.

By year two, Willis was already one of the brightest spots for a franchise still trying to climb its way back into contention. His first career interception was a prime example.

The 49ers traveled to Seattle in search of their first win of the 2008 season. San Francisco trailed their division rivals 20-13 early in the third quarter as the Seahawks were threatening after nearly reaching the red zone.

Then Willis completely changed the game.

Matt Hasselbeck’s pass was tipped into the air, allowing Willis to make the interception. He wasted no time, quickly taking off in the other direction. He weaved through Seattle’s offense and returned the ball 86 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 20.

To this day, it remains the longest interception return by a linebacker in 49ers history.

It swung the momentum in his side’s favor. Less than three minutes after Willis’ touchdown, San Francisco scored again to move ahead 27-20.

The Seahawks eventually fought back, sending the game into overtime before Joe Nedney finished it with a field goal, giving the 49ers a 33-30 divisional win.

Willis went on to have many outstanding seasons and play in games with much higher stakes. By the time he called it quits, he was a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time First-Team All-Pro, and eventually a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But the pick-six in Seattle remains one of the earliest signature plays of his career and a sign of what was to come.

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

June 9-10, 2026 – Mandatory Minicamps
Late July 2026 – NFL Training Camps open
Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT