Andrew Whitworth officially announced his retirement on Tuesday, leaving the NFL at the age of 40 after 16 seasons. He was a stud on the field and continues to be an exceptional leader off it, which will continue into retirement.
He formed a special bond with many key figures within the Rams’ organization, Sean McVay being among them. Whitworth was one of the first free-agent signings of the McVay tenure, and undoubtedly the most important.
The second part of his career with the Rams has put him in the Hall of Fame conversation, being a Super Bowl champion, two-time All-Pro and Walter Payton Man of the Year winner. And in McVay’s mind, he should be a first-ballot selection five years from now in 2027 when he’s first eligible.
“Can’t write it any better. Walter Payton Man of the Year. Super Bowl 56 champ. I don’t know how five years from now he’s not putting a gold jacket on in Canton,” McVay said during Whitworth’s retirement press conference.
McVay praised Whitworth not only as a player, but as an incredible person and leader who helped establish the culture in Los Angeles five years ago. He even said Whitworth had a bigger impact on that culture than anyone else within the Rams’ organization.
"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." pic.twitter.com/od0OuLSmQq
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2022
That’s a tough claim to dispute, too. Whether it was his leadership on the field, his community work off the field or the way he rallied he battled through injuries to compete with his teammates, Whitworth did everything and more during his time in Los Angeles.
And with goals of doing even more community work and philanthropy, Whitworth isn’t done helping others the way he’s helped so many in L.A. already.
McVay joked that Whitworth could come back to the Rams next season if he wants to break Jeff Saturday’s record for the most wins by an offensive lineman, sitting one win shy of Saturday. That’s probably not going to happen, but Eric Weddle made the most of a comeback, so he could too.
