Willie Anderson is a former American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was born on July 11, 1975, in Mobile, Alabama, and attended Auburn University, where he played college football for the Auburn Tigers.
Anderson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the league. He played for the Bengals for 11 seasons, from 1996 to 2007, and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection during that time. He was also named a first-team All-Pro twice, in 2003 and 2005.
In addition to his individual accolades, Anderson was a key part of some of the Bengals' most successful teams in recent history. He helped lead the team to the playoffs in 2005 and 2006, and he was a key contributor to the Bengals' high-powered offense during those seasons.
After leaving the Bengals, Anderson played one season for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 before retiring from the NFL. He finished his career with 184 games played, 181 of which were starts, and he was widely regarded as one of the best offensive tackles of his era.
Off the field, Anderson has been involved in a number of charitable endeavors throughout his career. He founded the Willie Anderson Foundation in 2003, which provides scholarships and other support to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Mobile, Alabama. He has also been involved in a number of other charitable organizations, including the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Overall, Willie Anderson had a highly successful football career that spanned more than a decade in the NFL. He was a dominant offensive lineman who was widely respected by his peers and coaches, and he helped lead his teams to some of their most successful seasons in recent memory. Off the field, he has been a dedicated philanthropist who has worked tirelessly to give back to his community and help those in need.
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