Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth made history by becoming just the 12th player in NFL history to beat all 32 teams after the 24-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.
Whitworth’s career had officially come full-circle after squaring off against the team that had initially taken him with the No. 55 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He spent 11 seasons establishing himself as one of the league’s premier left tackles in Cincinnati before parting ways and signing with Los Angeles prior to the 2017 NFL season.
Despite being in the final stretch of his illustrious career, the veteran remains as the anchor of this Rams’ offensive line. It is an outcome that not even he could envision for himself when he first came into the league.
Whitworth is admittedly proud of how this milestone came together for him, via Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times:
“It’s unbelievable,” the 37-year-old tackle said of the synchronicity of it all. “It’s one of those things you’re really proud of, and realize the longevity and success you’ve had in your career.”
He added that he got a healthy dose of nostalgia squaring off against his old team for the first time:
“A little bit in the beginning of the game, it was kind of surreal,” he said of playing against his old team. “And as the game kept going, it kind of felt like I was in training camp playing against the guys that I’ve played against forever. It was good to see everybody.”
Whitworth’s comments are certainly understandable considering he spent the bulk of his career doing what he can to help Cincinnati win. Fortunately, it was not long before his familiarity started to work in his favor after keeping quarterback Jared Goff sack-free for the second consecutive week.
His accomplishment is even more impressive considering he is only the second offensive lineman in history to defeat all 32 NFL teams. It is a testament to not only his talent, but his durability in playing one of the most grueling and important positions on the field.
Although Whitworth has earned his fair share of individual accolades as a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, he is still in search of that elusive Super Bowl ring. It is safe to say his decision to sign with the Rams has given him the best opportunity to do just that before calling it a career after coming within its grasp during last year’s championship run.
