Andrew Whitworth, drafted in the second round (55th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft from LSU—where he contributed to the 2003 BCS National Championship team—became a key figure on the Ohio River. He quickly secured a starting spot, enabling an 11-year tenure as the Bengals' primary leader and foundation on the offensive line.

Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 330 pounds, Whitworth was anything but small. He possessed exceptional height combined with quick footwork and a powerful punch. Although some scouts doubted whether his long frame was ideal for interior play, Whitworth proved them wrong when he transitioned to left tackle. He utilized his extensive wingspan and lateral agility to effectively block top-tier edge rushers and shield the blind side of quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Andy Dalton.

Whitworth played 12 games at left tackle as a rookie, but injuries caused Cincinnati to shift their line, moving him to left guard for his second and third seasons. He adapted to the change smoothly, demonstrating his interior strength, before settling back permanently at his natural left tackle position in 2009.

Once established at left tackle, Whitworth began an exceptional second phase of his career, defying usual aging patterns by performing at his peak well into his thirties. In 2012, he gave up only one sack throughout the season and earned his first Pro Bowl invitation.

His career highlight in Cincinnati came in 2015 when he played all 16 games, achieving an Approximate Value (AV) of 19 without allowing any sacks. This performance earned him Consensus First-Team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection, helping Cincinnati secure a 12–4 division title. In 2016, he continued his strong play, earning a Second-Team All-Pro recognition and his third Pro Bowl appearance.

In March 2017, the Bengals let the 35-year-old veteran leave in free agency, a decision they soon regretted. Whitworth joined the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent five more outstanding seasons, earning another First-Team All-Pro honor, receiving the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and concluding his career with a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Bengals. During his time with the Rams, Whitworth played 168 regular-season games (164 starts), achieved a career AV of 96, and proved to be one of the franchise's best tackle prospects.