Andrew Whitworth

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Former Cincinnati Bengal Andrew Whitworth is retiring from the NFL after a 16-year career, he announced Tuesday on Instagram.

But I hope that you see it and you think this: On that Tuesday off day - when every guy sitting in this room that’s played knows ‘I’d rather be at home’ - I made an investment in him. I want you to know how much it meant to me.’ I said, ‘Man.’ I’m Derrick Barnes. You spent time with me when you were a young player in Cincinnati at the Boys & Girls Club. And it meant the world to me. You used to sit with me and talk to me about life. And I saw him sprinting over, and I didn’t know what was going on - like we’d known each other forever. In our game against the Detroit Lions, I had a young player from the Lions run up to me as soon as the final horn went off.

Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth, 40, retires after a stellar career as punter Johnny Hekker, who began his career in St. Louis, is set to be cut.

“And then finding a way to … fall in love with football all over again.” ... Outside linebacker Obo Okoronkwo, a Ram since 2018, agreed to terms with the Houston Texans, according to NFL.com. ... The Rams received five 2022 NFL draft compensatory picks for losing four free agents and Brad Holmes, who became the Detroit Lions’ general manager, after the 2020 season. If another team signs Gay to an offer sheet and the Rams opt not to match it, the Rams would receive a fifth-round pick as compensation. He was captain for teams that went to the playoffs four times in five seasons and finished with a Super Bowl victory. The Rams gave an original-round tender to kicker Matt Gay, a restricted free agent who was drafted in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, NFL.com reported. And that I believe in them. Said Rams owner Stan Kroenke in a statement: “Andrew Whitworth epitomizes the best of people. “He changed the trajectory of this organization when he got here,” McVay said. I know we created a culture that was about winning. His hard work to perform at the highest levels on the field is only surpassed by his commitment to making his communities better. “Winning is important — I think culture’s important,” he said, fighting back tears. “I gave my heart and soul to that place,” he said of Cincinnati. “I know we made a lot of difference in that community.

Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth announced his retirement Tuesday, ending a 16-year NFL career that he capped with a Super Bowl victory against his former ...

Added Rams owner Stan Kroenke: "Andrew Whitworth epitomizes the best of people. Helping influence and affect people in the right way, through the good -- but I think even more importantly, in the bad. Whitworth had one year left on the three-year, $30 million agreement he signed in 2020. "And then when I look at my time here with the Rams, it's no different ... I feel great about my time here and what I've done. I had some unbelievable teammates and coaches in that time," Whitworth said of his time with the Bengals. Whitworth was quoted in December as saying that the only way he'd retire was if the Rams couldn't afford him "or there's just some other way where it doesn't work out for both of us for me to be back."

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 ...

He even said Whitworth had a bigger impact on that culture than anyone else within the Rams’ organization. And in McVay’s mind, he should be a first-ballot selection five years from now in 2027 when he’s first eligible. He was a stud on the field and continues to be an exceptional leader off it, which will continue into retirement.