Willie Anderson (American football)

Last updated

Willie Anderson
No. 71, 79
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1975-07-11) July 11, 1975 (age 49)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:340 lb (154 kg)
Career information
High school: Vigor
(Prichard, Alabama)
College: Auburn (1993–1995)
NFL draft: 1996  / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:195
Games started:184
Fumble recoveries:4
Player stats at PFR

Willie Aaron Anderson (born July 11, 1975) is an American former football offensive tackle who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was selected by the Bengals 10th overall of the 1996 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro selection, Anderson played his first 12 seasons with the Bengals.

Contents

The 11 quarterback pressures Anderson allowed in 2006 were the fourth-fewest pressures allowed by an offensive tackle in a season between 2006 and 2019. [1] He was the first right tackle to be named a first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons since Dan Dierdorf, Ron Yary, and Rayfield Wright all did it in the 1970s, and the first right tackle to be named to the Pro Bowl in four straight seasons since Jackie Slater; no right tackle has accomplished those feats since Anderson. [2]

In 2021, Willie Anderson was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. [3]

That following year, he became a member of the Ring of Honor induction class of 2022 for the Bengals, joining Paul Brown, Anthony Muñoz, Ken Anderson, and Ken Riley. [4]

He trains offensive linemen from high school to the NFL at the Willie Anderson Lineman Academy. [5]

College career

Anderson attended Auburn University, where he played for the Auburn Tigers football team from 1993 to 1995. He majored in marketing education.

Anderson started as a freshman at guard during the Tigers undefeated season in 1993. He switched to offensive tackle the next year.

He was honored as a 2nd-Team All-American after his Junior year at Auburn.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5 in
(1.96 m)		324 lb
(147 kg)		35+1⁄8 in
(0.89 m)		11+1⁄4 in
(0.29 m)		5.28 s1.88 s3.09 s23.0 in
(0.58 m)		8 ft 1 in
(2.46 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine [6]

Cincinnati Bengals

Anderson (second to left) observes a coin toss during a 2004 game against the Washington Redskins. Opening coin toss at the Washington Redskins vs. Cincinnati Bengals 2004.jpg
Anderson (second to left) observes a coin toss during a 2004 game against the Washington Redskins.

Anderson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (10th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft. [7] He made Dr. Z's Sports Illustrated All-Pro team in 1999 and was a first alternate to the Pro Bowl in the 2001 and 2002 seasons. He was selected to represent the AFC in the 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Pro Bowl.

Anderson was a road-grading run blocker, helping Corey Dillon break two NFL rushing records: Jim Brown’s rookie single-game rushing record and Walter Payton’s single-game rushing record of 275 yards. [8] He also helped Rudi Johnson break the Bengals single-season rushing record that still stands today. [9] He started 116 consecutive games in a row from 1999 to 2007. [10]

In his rookie season, it was said that he was able to bench press 675 pounds. Anderson received a five-year, $30 million contract extension after the 1999 season, his fourth season. He also received a five-year, $32 million contract extension, with $20 million guaranteed, prior to the 2006 season, his eleventh season with the Bengals. [11] Anderson was cut by the Bengals on August 30, 2008, after he refused to take a pay cut. [12]

In 2017, Anderson was named by the Bengals as one of their top 50 players to celebrate their 50th season. [13]

Baltimore Ravens

On September 4, 2008, Anderson signed a three-year, $11 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. [14] Anderson started 10 games for the Ravens, helping them reach the AFC Championship Game in coach John Harbaugh’s first season.

On May 13, 2009, the Ravens placed him on the reserved-retired list. The Ravens asked Anderson to reconsider his retirement, but he retired after the 2008 season. [15]

Personal life

Anderson's son, Jair Hawkins-Anderson, played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Ravens</span> National Football League franchise in Baltimore, Maryland

The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium and is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXXV</span> 2001 National Football League championship game

Super Bowl XXXV was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Baltimore Ravens and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion New York Giants to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2000 season. The Ravens defeated the Giants by a score of 34–7, tied for the seventh largest Super Bowl margin of victory with Super Bowl XXXVII. The game was played on January 28, 2001, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, making it the first time Raymond James Stadium has held a Super Bowl.

Sam Adams is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, earning consensus All-American honors, and was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1994 NFL draft. Following six seasons as a member of the Seahawks, he earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors during his two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Adams was also part of the team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV and made another championship appearance in his one season for the Oakland Raiders in 2002. As a member of the Buffalo Bills from 2003 to 2004, Adams was named to a third Pro Bowl. He spent his last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Lewis</span> American football player (born 1975)

Raymond Anthony Lewis Jr. is an American former football linebacker who played his entire 17-year career for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he earned All-America honors. He is considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Lewis (American football)</span> American football player (born 1979)

Jamal Lewis is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected fifth overall by the Ravens in the 2000 NFL draft. After spending his first seven seasons with the Ravens, Lewis signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns before the 2007 season and retired after the 2009 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Ogden</span> American football player (born 1974)

Jonathan Phillip Ogden is an American former professional football offensive tackle and spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Ravens with the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft, making him the first Ravens draft selection. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and a nine-time All-Pro. Ogden won Super Bowl XXXV with the Ravens in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Faneca</span> American football player (born 1976)

Alan Joseph Faneca is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned consensus All-America honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, he was introduced as the head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus McNeill</span> American football player (born 1983)

Marcus McNeill is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for six seasons with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers football, and was two-time All-American. San Diego selected McNeill in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft, and he played his entire pro career with the Chargers. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Whitworth</span> American football player (born 1981)

Andrew James Whitworth is an American former football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He spent 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and five with the Los Angeles Rams. Noted for the longevity of his career, he retired as the oldest tackle in NFL history and was the oldest offensive lineman to win a Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Smith (offensive tackle)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Andre Dewayne Smith Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football for the University of Alabama, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Cincinnati Bengals</span>

The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football franchise in the National Football League. Since starting off as an expansion franchise in the American Football League in 1968, they have appeared in three Super Bowls, but lost all three times, twice to the San Francisco 49ers and once to the Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Staley</span> American football player (born 1984)

Joseph Andrew Staley is an American former football offensive tackle who played his entire career for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas and was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Grubbs</span> American football player (born 1984)

Benjamin Richard Grubbs is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lardarius Webb</span> American football player (born 1985)

Lardarius Webb is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Nicholls State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. Webb was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laremy Tunsil</span> American football player (born 1994)

Laremy Alexander Tunsil is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ole Miss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamar Jackson</span> American football player (born 1997)

Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. is an American professional football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016, and was selected by the Ravens with the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Intended to serve as a backup in his rookie season, Jackson became the Ravens' starting quarterback after an injury to the incumbent Joe Flacco. He went on to clinch a division title with the team and became the youngest NFL quarterback to start a playoff game at age 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlando Brown (American football, born 1996)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Orlando Claude Brown Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma, and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Brown is the son of offensive tackle Orlando Brown, who also played for the Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Burrow</span> American football player (born 1996)

Joseph Lee Burrow is an American professional football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and LSU Tigers. As a senior at LSU in 2020, Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Playoff National Championship. He was selected by the Bengals first overall in the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja'Marr Chase</span> American football player (born 2000)

Ja'Marr Anthony Chase is an American professional football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU, where he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship as a sophomore. Selected fifth overall by the Bengals in the 2021 NFL draft, Chase was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a second-team All-Pro after setting the rookie record for single-game receiving yards en route to an appearance in Super Bowl LVI.

Jackson Carman is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson, and was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ @PFF (May 5, 2020). "Fewest pressures allowed by OT in a single season since 2006" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ Heltman, Russ (January 4, 2023). "Willie Anderson Named 2023 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Finalist". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on January 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ "ASHOF Inductees - Alabama Sports Hall of Fame". February 14, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Curtis, Anderson set to be inducted into Bengals' Ring of Honor".
  5. 1 2 Willie Anderson’s expert take on Georgia Tech’s transition
  6. ↑ "Willie Anderson, Combine Results, OT - Auburn". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Top 50 Moments: Corey Dillon Breaks Single-Game Rushing Record". www.bengals.com. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  9. ↑ "A look at Willie Anderson's career milestones as Hall of Fame announcement nears". The Enquirer. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  10. ↑ Anderson will miss Chiefs game, ending 116-game start streak
  11. ↑ "Bengals sign RT Anderson to five-year extension". ESPN.com. August 31, 2006. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Willie Anderson, Rudi Johnson cut by Bengals". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Willie still paving the way". www.bengals.com. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Ravens agree to terms with Willie Anderson". www.baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Pasquarelli: Retired OT Willie Anderson craves mentoring role". ESPN.com. June 22, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.