Former Bengals OT Andrew Whitworth has announced his retirement from the NFL after 16 seasons in the league.
Whitworth was originally a 2006 2nd round pick of the Bengals. As a rookie, he saw time at LG, before eventually transitioning to LT in the year or two that followed. Big Whit went on to become not only one of the Bengals best offensive linemen in franchise history, but one of their best players in general. With the Bengals, he was selected to 3 Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro twice, one first team and one second team.
Whit spent 11 seasons with the Bengals. He anchored the o-line during their stretch of playoff appearances. However, with the team looking to get younger, and with Cedric Ogbuehi waiting behind him, the Bengals elected to let Whitworth walk in free agency following the 2016 season.
After leaving the Bengals, Whitworth would spend the final 5 years of his career as the LT for the Los Angeles Rams. Making the Bengals decision look stupid in hindsight, Whit continued his elite play in Los Angeles for the duration of his time there. He now announces his retirement after winning a Super Bowl with the Rams, beating… the CincinnatiBengals.
Andrew Whitworth was an elite player for over a decade and a half. He did it at a position that many consider to be starved of talent. The way he was able to sustain his level of play into his late 30’s, and past his 40th birthday, was incredible. He will have a very good shot of ending up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Matthew D. Britt (CC)
