Andrew Whitworth on retirement after Super Bowl win, Walter Payton Man of the Year
Melissa Whitworth described a possible perfect scenario on Wednesday that she felt would seal the deal for her husband, Andrew Whitworth's, retirement – Walter Payton Man of the Year and a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams.
By Sunday night, Andrew had both.
"Its been a heck of a four days I'll tell you that," the former West Monroe and LSU offensive lineman said after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 on Sunday. "Between Thursday night and this, man it just makes you reflect on all the people that have been a part of my life and influenced me to be where I'm at."
Andrew, 40, has been with the Rams since 2017. In His 16-year career he never won a Super Bowl – until Sunday against the team that selected him in the 2006 NFL Draft.
During the NFL Honors on Thursday, Andrew was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The annual award recognizes a player's work on the field and in the community.
"It's a blessing, not a burden, to carry on this NFL legacy," Andrew said during his acceptance speech.
Family has always been a focal point for the Whitworths. Melissa said that in the days leading up to Super Bowl were full of excitement and nerves but she wouldn't be able to relax until the Rams secured the Lombardi trophy.
His 16-year career led to his four children growing up watching him play. On Sunday, his youngest daughter Katherine blew up on social media after being spotted during the television broadcast reading instead of watching the game.
"She's so cool," Andrew said during an appearance on the TODAY show on Monday. "She’s just her in every moment, and that’s what makes her special. You know what? It’s that fourth one that’s just the strongest, the toughest and who-she-is the most, out of all of them."
Despite her shifted focus during periods of the game, Katherine was out on the field with the rest of her siblings celebrating with their dad.
When they made the move from Cincinnati to Los Angeles, Melissa thought it was just a pit stop in their journey.
She said with the roots they planted in the Los Angeles area, they would most likely stay in Southern California if retirement is the next chapter of his career.
"For like the first time since we had been married it felt like we found a home that fit for us," Melissa said.
As questions about Andrew's retirement continue, he said it's still up in the air, but this would be the best way to wrap things up, ending his wife's seven-year plea.
"You know, I don't know," Andrew told the TODAY show. "I think its one of those things, I'll sit down with (coach) Sean McVay and we'll decide but you know, what a special way to go out."
Emely Hernandez covers University of Louisiana-Monroe athletics and high school sports. Email her at ehernandez@thenewsstar.com and follow her on Twitter @emhernandeznews.