Willie Anderson (American football)
| No. 71, 79 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | July 11, 1975 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Mobile, Alabama | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 340 lb (154 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Prichard (AL) Vigor | ||||||||
| College: | Auburn | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Willie Aaron Anderson (born July 11, 1975) is a former American football player who was an offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Auburn University. He was drafted by the Bengals 10th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Anderson played his first 12 seasons with the Bengals.
College career
Anderson attended Auburn University, where he played for the Auburn Tigers football team from 1993 to 1995. He majored in marketing education.
Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
Anderson was selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft, and was signed to a 5-year, $11 million-dollar deal. He made Dr. Z's Sports Illustrated All Pro team, 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. He only missed 2 games, which spanned from 1999-2006. He was considered as the Bengals' Iron Man.
In his rookie season, it was said that he was able to bench press 675 pounds. Anderson received a 5-year, $30 million contract extension after the 1999 season, his 4th season. Prior to the 2006 season, his 11th with the Bengals, Anderson was signed to a 5-year, $32 million contract extension, in which he was guaranteed $20 million.
Anderson was asked to be cut by the Bengals on August 30, 2008, after he refused to take a pay cut.
Baltimore Ravens
On September 5, 2008, Anderson signed a 3-year, $11 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He started 10 games for the Baltimore Ravens. On May 13, 2009, the Ravens placed him on the reserved-retired list. The Ravens asked Anderson to reconsider his retirement, but he stated that "wanting to spend more time with his son as a reason not to."