THOUSAND OAKS, CA — Super Bowl Champion and 2022 Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award winning left tackle Andrew Whitworth announced his retirement on Tuesday at the Los Angeles Rams facility in front of his family, head coach Sean McVay, and teammates Matthew Stafford, Eric Weddle, Joe Noteboom, and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp.
A 16-year career that began with the Cincinnati Bengals and ended with the Rams defeating his former team in Super Bowl LVI. His extensive resume also includes multiple Pro Bowl selections (2012, 2015-2017), along with winning 153 career games as he started started 235 games.
“The body is tired. It’s been probably one of the toughest months for me. Obviously it was a long season and everything. But as driven as I am, I still get up every morning at 5 or so and get in my sauna and try to get moving. There’s just still been some days where my body doesn’t want to move with me. It’s just time,” Whitworth said.
Whitworth explained that he and his wife Melissa want to continue the great work they have done in previous years in and around Southern California. From helping out kids by partnering up with the United Way to raising money and awareness by families that were effected by Wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to saving “The Serving Spoon” restaurant in Inglewood from closing it’s doors and countless other gestures of love and kindness.
“The more things I was able to accomplish and get some notirity that allowed me a platform to make effective change in communities, and be out to do the things I’ve always cared about,” Whitworth said about being more in involved in the community. “Something I care about and have wanted to do since I was a young kid, so all of these opportunities in the last month and a half have only given me an even bigger platform to be able to do that. I can’t wait honestly to start, that’s one of the biggest plans for us and we’ve already been talking with people and trying to meet with people across L.A. is how doe we get after and spend some more of our time.“
One of the most selfless human beings that was skilled to play the game of football at a high level and the one who’s made the most impact upon an organization and truly helped create a great culture in the locker room.
“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. Helping influence and affect people in the right way, through the good — but I think even more importantly, in the bad. That’s when he was at his best,” McVay said.
Whitworth’s depature also made an impact on Rams owner Stan Kroenke throughout the time he was signed with the team.
“Andrew Whitworth epitomizes the best of people. His hard work to perform at the highest levels on the field is only surpassed by his commitment to making his communities better. Andrew is at the heart of our success in Los Angeles these past five years, both for how he wraps his arms around this region and how he lifts up our entire organization.
“Andrew’s love for the game of football, his teammates and his community is only surpassed by Andrew’s family and the pride he takes in their growth and accomplishments,” Kroenke said via statement.
Whitworth will be missed by his teammates, coaches and the team staff, however he stated he’ll miss talking with teammates on strategies to win games, the routine of studying pass rushers and defenses.
He gave a great analogy about always being a tree, either you die or grow and he chooses to always grow. He’ll continue to look for ways to work with the Rams in community efforts moving forward.
“I feel like I’m at a time in my life where maybe chasing the best dad I can be, the best husband, best friend, are things to me that are important,” Whitworth said. “And then finding a way to … fall in love with football all over again.”
An incredibly talented football player with an even better heart and vision to be a servant of the people in community outreach.
*Rams save $15.5 million in cap space due to Whitworth’s retirement
