Andrew Whitworth Protects his Quarterback, No Matter the Cost

Nov 25, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston (99) fights with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) after a roughing the passer penalty erupted into a brawl during the fourth quarter of the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE

The job of the offensive lineman in the NFL is simple; protect your quarterback from the opposing defense. Andrew Whitworth, already known as one of the best in the league, did just that on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. In a game that had controversy spilling out of the stadium, Whitworth took care of his business even in the face of an ejection.

After the controversial inadvertent whistle call that gave the Bengals a second shot at a failed third down, Andy Dalton lined up in the shotgun. Just as the quarterback took the snap, the play was whistled dead due to a false start. However, Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston did not stop his quest for the quarterback, throwing Dalton to the ground well after the play was determined to be over.

Just as he has done his whole career, Andrew Whitworth, defended his quarterback. He ran over to Houston, head butting the Raider defensive player. From there the fight began. Both men, along with Oakland’s Tommy Kelly fell to the ground as their teammates tried to separate them in the middle of a pile of players.

Once the men were finally detained by teammates and coaches, the referees huddled again to decide what the punishment would be. At the end of the skirmish, there were offsetting unnecessary roughness calls and three ejections. Two men were ejected from Oakland; Kelly and Houston. And one ejection was issued to Cincinnati; Whitworth.

In a game that was already as heated as any game this season in Paul Brown Stadium, frustrations and animosity finally boiled over. Leaving one man out, who was just doing what he was trained to do every day. Morally, Whitworth was right for going after the man that intentionally tossed his quarterback like a ragdoll. However, per the rules, extra-curricular violence is not allowed in an already violent sport. However people may feel about what went down in the trenches on Sunday; number 77 proved that he was willing to lay it all on the line for his team.