Getty Andrew Whitworth practices pass protection during a Fall 2020 training camp practice. In December, Whitworth will become the first Rams offensive lineman to play the game at age 40.
The last time the Los Angeles Rams had a dominant offensive lineman play into his 40s, Hall of Famer Jackie Slater was anchoring the Rams trenches and retired at the age of 41.
Andrew Whitworth is now set to join Slater in this rare category: Rams linemen who extended their careers into their 40s.
The 16-year veteran left tackle Whitworth is six months away from turning 40. But before the Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals for a Monday night showdown on December 13, 2021, Whitworth will spend December 12 celebrating the milestone birthday.
It’ll mark the first time since 1995 that the Rams will have an active offensive lineman with four decades of living in tow. Slater not only was the last Ram to stretch his career into his 40s, he spent his entire career with the team and played for the Rams in three different cities: Los Angeles and Anaheim, California, and St. Louis, Missouri. He retired after the team’s first season in St. Louis in 1995, and the Rams retired his No. 78.
Whitworth answered Los Angeles Daily News Rams reporter Kevin Modesti’s question regarding his decision to return for his 16th year, saying “I knew when I had that much hunger to get back on the field, that I still wanted to play football.”
Plus, Whitworth is coming back from two major setbacks involving his football future and the health of him and his family.
Whitworth Not Just Returning Before 40th Birthday
The 6-foot-7, 330-pound blindside protector had his first health obstacle during a late regular season NFC West battle. In November 2020, Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright “awkwardly” bent Whitworth’s left knee in the wrong direction. Whitworth had to be carted off from the SoFi Stadium field, fearing a season-ending ACL tear.
Fortunately, it wasn’t. He suffered a Grade 3 MCL/PCL injury that sidelined him for nearly eight weeks but managed to return in time for the playoffs.
But then came the second health hurdle, this time a devastating virus that spread to him and his family: COVID-19.
Whitworth was one of nine in his household who tested positive for coronavirus, detailing the experience with Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times in a July 21, 2020, interview. Whitworth and his wife Melissa confirmed that they began with mild symptoms and both lost their sense of smell and taste.
Now, Whitworth is healthy from his leg injury and from coronavirus. Regarding the latter, Whitworth told reporters at the June 1 video conference, “Everybody is doing really well. Everybody seems to be good and plugging right along. All the adults as far as us have been vaccinated and we’re kind of plugging along.”
Whitworth Realizing His Age
Whitworth revealed how he knows he’s up in his years. It involves delivery orders to his house.
“Every time I get DoorDash from Taco Bell, I feel it,” Whitworth said to reporters while flashing a smile. “My joints know what happened.”
Despite being at the halfway point toward his 40th, Whitworth is cognizant of taking care of himself as he continues preparing for another season of protecting the blindside.
“During the week, when I’m training, I’m very aware of what I’m eating and how I’m doing things,” Whitworth said. “I try to do my best to feel good, but my body definitely knows it when I eat a couple of bean burritos or soft taco supremes.”
More than his birthday, Whitworth said he’s energized about starting NFL season No. 16.
“Honestly, just playing my 16th season is the first thing to check off and I can’t wait to walk out week one and just the journey to get deep into that,” Whitworth said. “I take it step-by-step and I’m looking forward to the season and excited about it.”