Andrew Whitworth
Encyclopedia
Andrew Whitworth is an American football
offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals
of the National Football League
. He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft
. He played college football at Louisiana State University
.
game on December 30, 2000 along with other future LSU players Marcus Spears
, Marquise Hill
, and Ben Wilkerson
. He attended West Monroe High School in West Monroe, Louisiana and graduated in 2001. He was a part of two Louisiana Class 5A State Championship teams in 1998 and 2000 when the school was listed by ESPN as National Champions. He was also part of four straight District Championship teams in one of the toughest districts in the state.
as a freshman. In 2002, he started every game, and was recognized as a first-team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News
and Football Writers Association. As a sophomore in 2003, he started all 14 games. The team went 13-1 en route to a BCS national title
with Sugar Bowl
defeat of Oklahoma
. He led the team with 1008 snaps and credited with 105 key blocks, including 82 knockdowns. In 2004, Whitworth led the team with 799 snaps from scrimmage as the Tigers went 9-3 with Citrus Bowl
berth against Iowa. His play was key for an offense that scored 39 TDs
and averaged 395.6 yards per game. He was credited with 96 key blocks, including 66 knockdowns, and played every offensive snap during a four-game stretch against Georgia, Florida
, Troy and Vanderbilt
. Helping LSU to an 11-2 record, he played left tackle in 2005. That season was capped by 40-3 Peach Bowl win over Miami (Fla.)
. He played every offensive snap in nine of the 13 contests, for an offense that averaged 374.1 yards per game. 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. Whitworth played in the East-West Shrine Game on January 21, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas
.
His 52 career starts from 2002-05 rank second in NCAA Division I history behind Derrick Strait
of Oklahoma (53 starts, 2000–03). He earned All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors in each of his last two seasons, including a consensus nod as a senior.
He graduated with a degree in general studies.
in the second round (55th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft
. He made his NFL debut on special teams September 10 at Kansas City. He started at LG in his second game, September 17 vs. the Cleveland Browns
, as part of a line shuffle that saw LG Eric Steinbach
replace injured Levi Jones
at left tackle. Whitworth helped Bengals pile up 481 yards against Browns, including 145 rushing yards by Rudi Johnson
. He was in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season, in part due to the number of injuries that depleted the Bengals offensive line. On November 12 vs. the San Diego Chargers
, he helped the offense produce a season-high 545 yards and career-high 440 yards passing from Carson Palmer
. He also had a key block on Rudi Johnson's seven-yard TD run in first quarter.
On July 25, 2008, Whitworth agreed in principle four-year extension with the Bengals that would keep him in Cincinnati through 2013, worth a reported $30 million.
In 2009, head coach Marvin Lewis
decided to move Whitworth from guard to left tackle and saw immediate impact.He started all 16 games of the season allowing just 5 sacks and helping running back Cedric Benson
to have a breakout year rushing for 1251 yards. On December 12, 2010 Whitworth caught a one yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer
. It was the first of his career.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He played college football at Louisiana State University
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
.
Early years
Whitworth was rated by CNNSI.com as the sixth-best offensive line prospect in the nation. He participated in the first ever U.S. Army All-American BowlU.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
game on December 30, 2000 along with other future LSU players Marcus Spears
Marcus Spears (defensive end)
For the offensive lineman, see Marcus Spears .Marcus Raishonie Spears is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League...
, Marquise Hill
Marquise Hill
Marquise Hill was an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, and Ben Wilkerson
Ben Wilkerson
Ben Wilkerson is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
. He attended West Monroe High School in West Monroe, Louisiana and graduated in 2001. He was a part of two Louisiana Class 5A State Championship teams in 1998 and 2000 when the school was listed by ESPN as National Champions. He was also part of four straight District Championship teams in one of the toughest districts in the state.
College career
Whitworth did not play in 2001; he was redshirtedRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
as a freshman. In 2002, he started every game, and was recognized as a first-team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
and Football Writers Association. As a sophomore in 2003, he started all 14 games. The team went 13-1 en route to a BCS national title
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
with Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
defeat of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. He led the team with 1008 snaps and credited with 105 key blocks, including 82 knockdowns. In 2004, Whitworth led the team with 799 snaps from scrimmage as the Tigers went 9-3 with Citrus Bowl
Citrus Bowl
The Florida Citrus Bowl is a stadium in Orlando, Florida, USA, built for football, which currently seats around 70,000 people....
berth against Iowa. His play was key for an offense that scored 39 TDs
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
and averaged 395.6 yards per game. He was credited with 96 key blocks, including 66 knockdowns, and played every offensive snap during a four-game stretch against Georgia, Florida
2004 Florida Gators football team
The 2004 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2004 college football season...
, Troy and Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
. Helping LSU to an 11-2 record, he played left tackle in 2005. That season was capped by 40-3 Peach Bowl win over Miami (Fla.)
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
. He played every offensive snap in nine of the 13 contests, for an offense that averaged 374.1 yards per game. 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. Whitworth played in the East-West Shrine Game on January 21, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
His 52 career starts from 2002-05 rank second in NCAA Division I history behind Derrick Strait
Derrick Strait
Derrick Strait is a professional American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. Strait was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
of Oklahoma (53 starts, 2000–03). He earned All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors in each of his last two seasons, including a consensus nod as a senior.
He graduated with a degree in general studies.
Cincinnati Bengals
Whitworth was selected by the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in the second round (55th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He made his NFL debut on special teams September 10 at Kansas City. He started at LG in his second game, September 17 vs. the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, as part of a line shuffle that saw LG Eric Steinbach
Eric Steinbach
Eric Steinbach is an American football player who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the University of Iowa.-High School years:Steinbach is a...
replace injured Levi Jones
Levi Jones
Levi J. Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals 10th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.-College career:Jones attended Arizona State University...
at left tackle. Whitworth helped Bengals pile up 481 yards against Browns, including 145 rushing yards by Rudi Johnson
Rudi Johnson
Burudi Ali "Rudi" Johnson is a former American football running back who played professionally from 2001 - 2008. Rudi was born in Petersburg, Virginia approximately 30 miles south of Richmond. His first name "Burudi" is Swahili and means "cool'" and his middle name "Ali" represented his family's...
. He was in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season, in part due to the number of injuries that depleted the Bengals offensive line. On November 12 vs. the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he helped the offense produce a season-high 545 yards and career-high 440 yards passing from Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
. He also had a key block on Rudi Johnson's seven-yard TD run in first quarter.
On July 25, 2008, Whitworth agreed in principle four-year extension with the Bengals that would keep him in Cincinnati through 2013, worth a reported $30 million.
In 2009, head coach Marvin Lewis
Marvin Lewis
Marvin Ronald Lewis is the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League, a position he has held since January 14, 2003...
decided to move Whitworth from guard to left tackle and saw immediate impact.He started all 16 games of the season allowing just 5 sacks and helping running back Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson
Cedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
to have a breakout year rushing for 1251 yards. On December 12, 2010 Whitworth caught a one yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
. It was the first of his career.