Andrew Whitworth: From LSU Tiger to NFL Champion and Community Leader

Andrew James Whitworth, born on December 12, 1981, is an American former professional football tackle whose career spanned 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). His journey began in Louisiana, where he excelled in high school and college, before becoming a celebrated player for both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. Whitworth's career is marked by his exceptional performance on the field, his leadership qualities, and his commitment to community service.

Early Years and High School Success

A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Whitworth attended West Monroe High School, where he played football under coach Don Shows. His high school career was nothing short of remarkable, as he led his team to three Louisiana Class 5A State Championships in 1997, 1998, and 2000. In his final two years, West Monroe was recognized as national champions by the National High School Football Tony Poll. Beyond football, Whitworth also excelled in tennis, becoming a Louisiana state champion. He graduated in 2001, widely regarded as one of the nation’s top offensive line prospects, earning All-America honors from USA Today, Rivals.com, Fox Sports, and SuperPrep.

College Career at LSU

Whitworth continued his football career at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played from 2001 to 2005. Initially recruited as a tight end, he was persuaded by then-LSU head coach Nick Saban to switch to offensive tackle, a decision that would shape his future.

The Influence of Nick Saban

Whitworth recounted how he was almost signed to play for another SEC program but was won over by Tigers head coach Nick Saban. Saban's belief in Whitworth's potential as an offensive lineman proved to be pivotal.

Redshirt and Freshman Success

Whitworth redshirted his first year in 2001. In 2002, as a redshirt freshman, he started every game and earned first-team Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association.

2003 National Championship Season

As a sophomore in 2003, Whitworth started all 14 games, contributing to a 13-1 season that culminated in a BCS national title with a Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma. He led the team with 1,008 snaps and was credited with 105 key blocks, including 82 knockdowns.

Continued Success at LSU

In 2004, Whitworth again led the team with 799 snaps from scrimmage, helping the Tigers achieve a 9-3 record and a Citrus Bowl berth. He recorded 96 key blocks, including 66 knockdowns, and played every offensive snap during a four-game stretch against Georgia, Florida, Troy, and Vanderbilt. In 2005, he played left tackle, contributing to an 11-2 record and a 40-3 Peach Bowl win over Miami (Fla.). He played every offensive snap in nine of the thirteen contests, for an offense that averaged 374.1 yards per game.

Records and Recognition

Whitworth's college career was marked by consistency and excellence. He missed only one practice, which was to attend his graduation ceremonies. By not allowing a sack all season, he finished his career with 22 straight games of no sacks allowed. He was credited with 104 key blocks/knockdowns. His 52 career starts from 2002 to 2005 rank second in NCAA Division I history behind Derrick Strait of Oklahoma (53 starts, 2000-2003). Whitworth was a second-team Walter Camp All-American as a senior and a two-time All-SEC selection.

NFL Career

Cincinnati Bengals (2006-2016)

Whitworth was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (55th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut on special teams on September 10 against Kansas City. The following week, he started at left guard against the Cleveland Browns. He helped the Bengals accumulate 481 yards against the Browns, including 145 rushing yards by Rudi Johnson.

In 2009, head coach Marvin Lewis moved Whitworth from guard to left tackle, which had an immediate positive impact. He started all sixteen games of the season, allowing just five sacks and helping running back Cedric Benson rush for 1,251 yards. On December 12, 2010, Whitworth caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer against the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the 2014 season, Whitworth allowed zero sacks and only one hit on quarterback Andy Dalton.

Los Angeles Rams (2017-2021)

On March 9, 2017, Whitworth signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. In his first season with the Rams, Whitworth made it to his fourth Pro Bowl. In the eighth week of the 2019 season, the Rams defeated the Bengals 24-10, giving Whitworth a victory over his former team. In March 2020, Whitworth signed a three-year deal to remain with the Rams. A knee injury sidelined him for part of the 2020 season, but he returned to help the team.

Super Bowl LVI Victory and Retirement

Whitworth's career reached its pinnacle when he started for the Los Angeles Rams in their Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals. At the time, he was the oldest offensive tackle to play in a Super Bowl. A month later, on March 15, 2022, Whitworth announced his retirement after playing in 239 games with 235 starts and 15 postseason games.

Legacy and Accolades

Whitworth's NFL career is decorated with numerous accolades, including:

Four Pro Bowl selections (2012, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Two-time AP first-team All-Pro (2015, 2017)
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2021)

He was also recognized for his exceptional pass blocking, registering nine seasons in which his blocking produced a 1,000-yard receiver.

Community Involvement and the BigWhit 77 Foundation

Whitworth's impact extends far beyond the football field. He is deeply committed to community service through his BigWhit 77 Foundation, which provides leadership and guidance to young people. He and his wife, Melissa, have donated significant amounts to various causes, including $250,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank during the pandemic.

Read also: Van Ginkel's NFL Career

Whitworth has supported more than thirty foundations, including the LA Regional Food Bank, LA Unified School District, Make a Wish, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph Center, and United Way. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award recognized Whitworth and his wife, Melissa, for their commitment to investing within their communities.

Personal Life

Andrew Whitworth is a Christian and has spoken about recommitting to his faith after his second season in the NFL. He and his wife, Melissa, have four children: Sarah, Drew, Michael, and Katherine.

Post-Retirement

Since retiring from the NFL, Whitworth has joined Amazon Prime as an NFL TV analyst, providing commentary for "Thursday Night Football."

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