‘His humanity speaks for itself’: Rams’ Andrew Whitworth comes full circle with Bengals, Joe Burrow and career of caring

LOS ANGELES — Andrew Whitworth stood on a stage at the YouTube Theater, his face open and beaming, a full audience on its feet and applauding in front of him. “This week couldn’t be more special — to have both franchises that we put our hearts and souls into to be playing each other in the Super Bowl.” So much is coming full circle this week for the 40-year-old Whitworth — from the opponent the Rams will face to the impact he’s made on both rosters and coaching staffs, and even Joe Burrow, the young Bengals quarterback who has captained their remarkable historic run. “It’ll be the only time I let you smoke a cigar through your recovery.” Burrow and ElAttrache arrived at Whitworth’s sprawling home, and Burrow’s girlfriend, Olivia Holzmacher, arrived shortly after as did Whitworth’s wife, Melissa. He’s always done things the right way and set a very high standard for those that he’s around.” A few years later, ElAttrache knew Whitworth would also be a great mentor for Burrow. “So if it is, it may be one heck of a way to end it.” It’s only fitting that again, Whitworth will come full circle: playing in a Super Bowl against a team for which he was also a cornerstone player, and which is still so dear to his and his wife Melissa’s hearts.