Los Angeles Rams lineman, former LSU star announces retirement

Andrew Whitworth is calling it a career. And what a way to go out.

Whitworth, 40, made the announcement on Tuesday after winning Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams. He helped the Rams defeat his longtime former team: the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitworth spent 11 seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Rams in 2017, with whom he ended up finishing his career.

Upon the announcement, both the Rams and the Bengals tweeted out their congratulations to the veteran, who became the oldest offensive lineman to win a Super Bowl.

Cincinnati drafted Whitworth with the No. 55 overall pick in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He previously starred at LSU, winning a 2003 national championship with the Tigers and earning second team All-SEC nominations in 2004 and 2005.

During his career, Whitworth made four Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro nominee. But 2021 proved to be a special season, and the perfect ending to his career. Not only did he get his first Super Bowl ring over his former team, but he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

More on Andrew Whitworth’s decision to retire

Earlier this month, Whitworth said he still needed some time to think about his future in the NFL. He kept himself in shape, but wasn’t 100% set on a decision.

“I’m staying active,” Whitworth said, via NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano. “Working out. But, I don’t know yet.”

Siciliano provided a timeline for Whitworth’s decision, which proved to hold true. But he also provided some insight as to what could be next for the longtime lineman.

“Whitworth says a retirement decision is still a few weeks away,” Siciliano tweeted. “He says he’ll be involved in football, regardless of decision. Hints at TV work.”

Retirement sure seemed likely for Whitworth after the Super Bowl and Man of the Year honor. Even after the game, he was thinking about it and acknowledged how great it’d be to go out on such a high note.

“If it is it, man, what a heck of a way to end it,’” Whitworth said after the Rams beat the Bengals at SoFi Stadium.