This article is about the offensive tackle. For the wide receiver named Willie Anderson, see Flipper Anderson. For the association football player named Willie Anderson, see Willie Anderson (footballer).
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.[1] 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, and 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.[2]
In 2021, Willie Anderson was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.[3]
Anderson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (10th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft.[7] He made Dr. Z'sSports 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.
Anderson was a road-grading run blocker, helping Corey Dillon break two NFL rushing records: Jim Brown’s rookie single-game rushing record and Walter Payton’s single-game rushing record of 275 yards.[8] He also helped Rudi Johnson break the Bengals single-season rushing record that still stands today.[9] He started 116 consecutive games in a row from 1999 to 2007.[10]
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.[11] Anderson was cut by the Bengals on August 30, 2008 after he refused to take a pay cut.[12]
In 2017, Anderson was named by the Bengals as one of their top 50 players to celebrate their 50th season.[13]
Baltimore Ravens
On September 4, 2008, Anderson signed a three-year, $11 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens.[14] 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.[15]