A look at Willie Anderson's career milestones as Hall of Fame announcement nears

Willie Anderson spent 13 years as an offensive lineman in the National Football League, with the first 12 years coming in a Cincinnati Bengals uniform. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, he was known as one of the best run blockers and pass protectors in the league.

On Jan. 17, Anderson was announced as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a second straight year, earning him a chance to join fellow offensive lineman Anthony Muñoz in Canton, Ohio

From the NFL Draft to Anderson's retirement to his post-career achievements, here are some of the significant milestones throughout the career of "Big Willie."

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April 20, 1996 – Anderson was taken by the Bengals with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft out of Auburn. He was the second offensive tackle taken in the first round; Baltimore drafted Jonathan Ogden with the fourth overall pick.

Sept. 1, 1996 – Anderson appeared in his first NFL game in a week one 26-16 loss to the St. Louis Rams. He would go on to play 195 total games in his 13 years as a pro.

Oct. 20, 1996 – The first of Anderson's 171 starts in a Bengals uniform came in a 28-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in week eight of his rookie season.

Nov. 21, 1999 – The first missed game of Anderson's career did not come until midway through his fourth season. He was listed as "Did Not Play" on ProFootballReference.com. Anderson only missed 11 games in his 12 years in Cincinnati. The first game he missed was the only one where he was listed as a DNP; he was inactive in the other 10 games.

Oct. 22, 2000 – Anderson has been called one of the great pass blockers of the early 2000s, and his skill was on display when he played a role in Corey Dillon setting a then-NFL record with 277 rushing yards in a single game.

Dec. 1, 2002 – Anderson's 100th career start in the NFL came in week 13 of his seventh season in the league. This milestone came during a streak of 117 straight starts for Anderson that lasted from week 1 of the 2000 season until week four of the 2007 season.

2005 – Anderson got his first taste of the postseason as the Bengals made their first trip since the 1990 season. In that same campaign, he also played a role in running back Rudi Johnson's franchise record of 1,458 rushing yards in a single season.

2006 – At the conclusion of the season, Anderson was named a first-team All-Pro for the third straight season. He also garnered his fourth straight Pro Bowl selection. Anderson was the first right tackle to be named to three straight All-Pro first teams since Dan Dierdorf, Ron Yary and Rayfield Wright in the 1970s, and was the first right tackle to make four straight Pro Bowls since Jackie Slater.

Oct. 21, 2007 – Anderson started his final game in a Bengals uniform in a week seven win over the New York Jets. He was inactive the previous week and would be inactive for the next eight weeks after his last start.

Dec. 30, 2007 – A week 17 win over Miami was the final game Anderson played for Cincinnati. Although the Bengals went 7-9 overall in 2007, they did go 4-3 with Anderson in the lineup, including winning the final three games in which he suited up.

Jan. 18, 2009 – Anderson's NFL career came to an end with a 23-14 AFC Championship Game loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent the final year of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, appearing in 17 games and starting 14. He started 185 total games in the NFL.

2017 – As the Bengals celebrated their 50th year as a franchise, Anderson was named as a top 50 player in Bengals history.

2021 – Anderson was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He attended Vigor High School in Prichard, Alabama, before playing at Auburn from 1993 to 1995. He was a part of the Tigers' undefeated team in 1993.

2022 – The most recent accomplishment for Anderson was his induction into the Bengals' Ring of Honor along with team founder Paul Brown, lone Bengals Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, Ken Anderson and Ken Riley.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals offensive lineman Willie Anderson's career milestones