Cody Whitehair

BIOGRAPHY

Cody Michael Whitehair was born in Abilene, Kansas on July 11, 1992, and carries with him the passion and dedication that epitomizes a true American professional football player. Currently gracing the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) as an offensive guard, Whitehair has an illustrious career history under his belt that includes playing for the Chicago Bears.

The beginnings of Whitehair’s exceptional career as a professional football offensive guard can be traced back to his high school days. A native of Abilene, Kansas, he attended the local High School, where he gained notable experience as a dual lineman, playing cowboy football varsity. His skills and talent did not go unnoticed. Outstanding in his senior year, he was recognized with an inclusion in the All-Midlands Region team by PrepStar magazine. These early successes were credited to his amazing 140 pancake blocks, 81 total tackles – 41 solo and 40 assisted, and 15 sacks in the season, as he crucially contributed to Abilene’s 10–1 record before it lost to Buhler in the second round of the Kansas State High School Activities Association 4A state playoffs.

In 2011, after graduation, he attended Kansas State University, where he redshirted his first year. However, his breakthrough came in 2012 when he moved from the circle of benchwarmers to become a starter as a guard for the Wildcats, a run that continued till 2013. In a twist of role, just before his junior year in 2014, Whitehair received a new assignment – offensive tackle. He excelled in this position serving diligently across his junior and senior years.

Whitehair’s prowess on the turf embodied perseverance and tenacity and did not go unnoticed. In 2016, the Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the NFL draft as the 56th overall player. During training camp, an injury to Hroniss Grasu, a 2015 third-round pick, resulted in Whitehair stepping in to play the starting left guard. Little did anyone know that Whitehair’s entry would be a game-changer for the team.

His prowess at center led the Chicago Bears to sign veteran guard Josh Sitton, cementing Whitehair’s position as starting center. Incredibly, he ensured no game went without him as he started all 16 games in his rookie season, thus earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

Two years later in 2018, Whitehair’s commitment and dedication saw him play every offensive snap enabling him to enter the 2019 Pro Bowl, becoming the first Bears center since Olin Kreutz to participate in the Pro Bowl. It became apparent that Whitehair was becoming a persistent force on the field, being the only Bears player participating in every down, on either side of the ball.

The 2019 season brought changes to the Bears’ lineup. Whitehair moved to left guard, while that position’s starter, James Daniels, shifted to center. His contributions to the Chicago Bears were acknowledged in a grand fashion when he signed a five-year contract extension worth $52.5 million with $27.5 million guaranteed on September 1. When the Bears’ offense was struggling amid a four-game losing streak in November, Whitehair was asked to return to center yet again.

In 2020, the unfortunate global pandemic made its mark on the NFL, and Whitehair was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 6, but fortunately was activated ten days later on November 16. Two years later in 2022, he suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve in October, but made a healthy return on November 4.

However, the culmination of his time with the Bears came on February 15, 2024, when he was released from the team. But, being the formidable player that he is, Whitehair was soon courted by the Las Vegas Raiders. On April 15, 2024, he signed a one-year deal, ready to bring his vast experience and unwavering commitment to the team. With the journey that has been his career, Cody Michael Whitehair continues to be a symbol of dedication, tenacity, and a true athlete in American professional football.