Getty Andrew Whitworth waves at the crowd during the February 27, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series in Fontana.
Andrew Whitworth has officially delivered his last block, and walks away a Super Bowl champion.
The 40-year-old left tackle, known for protecting quarterbacks throughout his career and became the “epitome of a leader” as the Los Angeles Rams Twitter account called him, announced his retirement on Tuesday, March 15 — ending a 16-season career that will spark conversations about his Hall of Fame candidacy: Four Pro Bowl appearances, two All-Pro nods, the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner and winning Super Bowl 56.
And the reactions poured over on “Big Whit” calling it a career.
The epitome of a leader.
Congratulations on an incredible football career, Andrew Whitworth.
‘We Not Me’ Helped Define Whitworth
Whitworth’s now former head coach Sean McVay was present when Whitworth decided to call it a career.
The 36-year-old McVay reflected on the impact Whitworth delivered — which featured a selfless attitude.
“There is nobody that has had a bigger impact than Andrew Whitworth on establishing the foundation, the culture of ‘We Not Me,’ and being a part of something bigger than yourself,” McVay told reporters.
“There is nobody that has had a bigger impact than Andrew Whitworth on establishing the foundation, the culture of “We Not Me”, and being a part of something bigger than yourself.”
McVay wasn’t the only prominent Ram to be thankful of the contributions Whitworth provided inside the “Rams House.” Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff also shared his thanks to Whitworth and his wife Melissa.
“Thank you to Andrew Whitworth, @mrs_whit77 and their kids for making our franchise and our city a better place. There are no words that describe the impact Andrew has had on our franchise and the people of LA but as the pictures below show good things happen to good people,” Demoff tweeted.
Thank you to Andrew Whitworth, @mrs_whit77 and their kids for making our franchise & our city a better place. There are no words that describe the impact Andrew has had on our franchise and the people of LA but as the pictures below show good things happen to good people.
On the defensive side of the ball for the Rams, cornerback Jalen Ramsey posted his reaction on “Whit” calling it a career.
WHIT❕ WHAT A CAREER❕ Was an honor being this guys teammate 🤟🏾
Outside of the Rams’ facility, even NFL journalists paid their respect to Whitworth. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was one of them.
“There weren’t more universally liked and respected players than the 40-year-old who made NFL history by becoming the oldest OT ever to play,” was an excerpt Schefter tweeted.
Four-time Pro-Bowl and Super-Bowl champion left tackle Andrew Whitworth, the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year, announced his retirement.
There weren’t more universally liked and respected players than the 40-year-old who made NFL history by becoming the oldest OT ever to play.
Laura Okmin of Fox Sports posted her favorite “photo bomb” that occurred after the Super Bowl. But also gave her own praise to Whitworth.
Forever my favorite photo bomb. Forever one of my favorite humans this job has given me the privilege of getting to know. Being a tremendous football player may be the least impressive thing about Andrew Whitworth, who will always be known for WHO he is over what he does.
Local L.A. reporter Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times posted a picture capturing Whitworth having a moment with his daughter after winning his first career Vince Lombardi Trophy.
My favorite photo of The retiring Andrew Whitworth, shot by the incomparable @rgaut999
Greg Beacham, the Associated Press Rams beat reporter, mentioned the dominance Whitworth displayed in performing one of the toughest positions in football.
Rounding out the national reporters were the NFL Network’s Steve Wyche with this video:
Some thoughts on one of the best people I have ever met, @RamsNFL OT Andrew Whitworth, who announced his retirement today. @nflnetwork
But the praise stretched to fans, a fellow Super Bowl winning offensive lineman and a university Whitworth is familiar with.
Two-Time Super Bowl Winner Among those who Congratulated
Mark Schlereth says he may not know Whitworth well, but that didn’t stop him from posting this video, calling it an “honor and privilege” to have watched Whitworth performed on Sundays:
Congratulations Andrew Whitworth!
Schlereth and “Whit” may not have crossed paths, but Whitworth did cross through LSU. And his alma mater memorialized his entire career.
Finally, with the longtime blindside protector hanging it up, the Pro Football Hall of Fame made this announcement:
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