Willie Anderson

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Lore & Background

Anderson was a road-grading run blocker, helping Corey Dillon break Walter Payton’s single-game rushing record of 275 yards. He also helped Rudi Johnson rush for 1,454 yards in 2004, though the Bengals single-season rushing record is held by Corey Dillon. He started 116 consecutive games in a row from 1999 to 2006. 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. Anderson was cut by the Bengals on August 30, 2008, after he refused to take a pay cut. In 2017, Anderson was named by the Bengals as one of their top 50 players to celebrate their 50th season.

In Their Own Story

The relationship between Willie Anderson and the Bengals was built on mutual investment until financial disagreements led to a bitter split. After receiving a five-year, $30 million contract extension following his fourth season in 1999, he later signed another massive deal: a five-year, $32 million extension with $20 million guaranteed prior to the 2006 season. However, on August 30, 2008, Anderson was cut by the Bengals after refusing to take a pay cut. He immediately found a new home on September 4, 2008, signing a three-year, $11 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. In coach John Harbaugh’s first season, Anderson started 10 games for the Ravens, helping them reach the AFC Championship Game. Despite the team asking him to reconsider, Anderson retired after the 2008 season and was placed on the reserved-retired list by the Ravens on May 13, 2009.

Reader's Guide

Anderson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (10th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft. 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. On September 4, 2008, Anderson signed a three-year, $11 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. 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.

Did You Know?

• 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.
• 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.
• He was 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.
• In 2021, Willie Anderson was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2022, he became a member of the Ring of Honor induction class for the Bengals, joining Paul Brown, Anthony Muñoz, Ken Anderson, and Ken Riley.