Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth was rewarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this season. While this may not necessarily feel monumental at the moment, the impact of the award helps people remember the game of football is bigger than just a game. During his speech, he spoke about a time with a young impressionable mind years ago that he left his imprint on. Little did he know, years later that same young mind would remember that moment for the rest of his life.
Andrew Whitworth’s story that will change your life
At 40 years of age, Whitworth has played 16 NFL seasons. Whitworth only appearing in the Super Bowl two times may come as a shock to people. However, once one considers how many NFL players haven’t won rings or gotten an opportunity to win a ring and lost and have yet to return to another Super Bowl. Ironically, the Rams took on the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl and Whitworth was a longtime Cincinnati Bengal. He spent 11 seasons as their starting left tackle.
During his time in Cincinnati, he left an impact he’d never expect until he played against the Detroit Lions midway through the year. Shortly after the game finishes, he remembers a member of the Lions started sprinting towards him. Of course, Whitworth was naturally rattled. Once they met, which he thought was the first time in his life, however, linebacker Derrick Barnes and Whitworth met prior. Whitworth explains in detail.
"I made it. I made it to the NFL, Big Whit."
An unbelievable moment during Andrew Whitworth's Walter Payton Man of the Year acceptance speech. | 📺 ABC/NFL Network pic.twitter.com/YS8fScKQbZ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 11, 2022
While this story is heartwarming, this is a story not only Whitworth but we’ll never forget. As much as Derrick Barnes has likely been a fan of Whitworth, one can only think WHitwork has now become a fan of Barnes.
Whitworth continues to prove doubters wrong
Many NFL fans refer to Whitworth as the guy who defeated Father Time for several years. Alongside Tom Brady, there aren’t any left playing at such a high level at this age. After his 164 games with the Bengals, many questioned how much left in the tank does he have left. Five full seasons later, he’s proven doubters to be silly.
According to PFF , Whitworth has an 86.1 grade this season across 926 snaps.
After 16 seasons, Andrew Whitworth is a Super Bowl Champion! #SBLVI pic.twitter.com/siag90zNk5
— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
