Brad White (defensive lineman): Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=JulyJanuary 20222023}}

| name = Brad White

| image = Brad = White.webp

| image_sizenumber = 90, 92, = 62

| weight_lbs draftyear = 2501981

| draftyear pastteams = 1981

* [[Indianapolis Colts]] (1984-{{NFL Year|1984|1986}})

* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|1987}})

| statvalue1 pfr = 73WhitBr20

White was born on August 18, 1958, in [[Rexburg, Idaho]].<ref name="auto9">{{Cite web |title=Brad White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhitBr20.htm |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] |titlelanguage=Brad White Statsen}}</ref> He was the oldest of four children.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=dany |date=July 18, 2022 |title=Bradley Dee White: August 18 1958 – July 16 2022 (age 63), death notice, USA |url=https://usobit.com/obituaries-2022/bradley-dee-white-august-18-1958-july-16-2022-age-63/ |website=usobit.com|author=dany|access-date=JulyJanuary 1826, 20222023 |titlewebsite=BradleyUnited DeeStates WhiteObituary AugustNotice 18 1958 July 16 2022 (age 63)|language=english}}</ref> Growing up, White worked on the family [[potato farm]] in [[Idaho Falls, Idaho|Idaho Falls]].<ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto12">{{Cite news |urllast=Selman |first=Jim |date=August 5, 1981 |title=White Won't Drop Bucs' Hot Potato |page=31, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106638282106638417/the-tampa-tribune/ 36] |newspaperwork=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 5, 1981|pageurl=31, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106638417106638282/the-tampa-tribune/ 36]|titlevia=White Won't Drop Bucs' Hot Potato|author=Selman, Jim[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He started playing [[American football|football]] while in fourth grade and was coached by his father for several years.<ref name="auto" /> He attended [[Skyline High School (Idaho)|Skyline High School]] in Idaho Falls, where he was a top football player and state champion [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestler]].<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brad White Stats and Bio |url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/whit03000.html |websiteaccess-date=ProJanuary Football26, 2023 Archives|titlewebsite=BradPro WhiteFootball StatsArchives}}</ref> White earned all-state honors in both sports and also was the state champion in [[discus throw]] and [[shotput]].<ref name="auto" /> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' later named him one of the "Top 50 Greatest Sports Figures from Idaho.".<ref name="auto" /> He is an inductee into the Idaho High School Football Hall of Fame.<ref name="auto" />

White committed to the [[University of Tennessee]], arriving on August 16, 1976, after driving 2,800 miles.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite news |urllast=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106614484/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/Riggs |newspaperfirst=[[TheTed Knoxville News-Sentinel]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 17, 1978|page=19 |title=Brad White's a Full-Fledged Vol After 2 Years |authorpage=Riggs,19 Ted|work=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106614484/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Football practice started on August 18, which was his 18th birthday.<ref name="auto8" /> Things "almost immediately headed downhill," and he became "an athlete in waiting," seeing no varsity action in his first two years.<ref name="auto8" /> White, suffering from depression and homesickness, nearly quit the team and headed home.<ref name="auto8" />

In 1976, White appeared in two games on the [[junior varsity]] football team, against [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]] and [[Lees–McRae College#Athletics|Lees–McRae]].<ref name="auto8" /> He redshirted for the 1977 season.<ref name="auto8" /> In 1978, he made the varsity team and became one of their top defensive performers, posting 45 tackles in the first four games.<ref name="auto8" /> He made his varsity debut on September 16 against the [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA Bruins]], starting before an attendance of over 82,500.<ref name="auto8" /> "In 1976 and 1977, I played before about 2,500 people. The largest single audience for a JV game was, I guess, 1,500. You can imagine how it felt when I started against UCLA, my first varsity appearance, before more than 82,500," he said.<ref name="auto8" />

In the 1979 season, White led Tennessee in "big plays" ([[Quarterback sacks|sacks]], {{abbr|TFLs|tackles-for-loss}}, [[fumble]] recoveries, forced fumbles) and made a team-leading seven sacks.<ref name="auto11">{{Cite news |last=Bailes |first=Frank |date=November 27, 1980 |title=What's Cooking? Vol Brad White Knows |page=52 |work=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106617379/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/|newspaper=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 27, 1980|page=52|title=What's Cooking? Vol Brad White Knows|author=Bailes, Frank "Red"}} {{Open access}}</ref> By the time there was two games left inIn the 1980 season, White's [[Senior (education)|senior]] year, he hadtied for first on the team lead in "big plays", andhaving recorded five sacks, two forced fumbles, and five tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.<ref name="auto11auto12"/>

After his senior year, White was selected to play in the 1981 [[Japan Bowl]] and the [[East–West Shrine Bowl]].<ref name="auto" /> White finished his college career with 19 sacks, 245 tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss, four forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered in three seasons at the varsity level.<ref name="auto" />

White was selected in the 12th round (310th overall) of the [[1981 NFL Draftdraft]] by the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.profootballarchivespro-football-reference.com/1981nfldraftyears/1981/draft.htmlhtm |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football ArchivesReference]] |titlelanguage=1981 NFL Draften}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |urllast=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106638006/the-tampa-tribune/Selman |newspaperfirst=[[TheJim Tampa Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=April 30, 1981|page=19, 6C|title=Offensive Tackle, Quarterback Top Bucs' Late Picks |authorpages=Selman19, Jim6C |work=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106638006/the-tampa-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Despite being a 12th round pick, he impressed in training camp and made the final roster as backup [[nose tackle]], becoming one of only six rookies to make the team.<ref name="auto12"/><ref name="auto10">{{Cite news |last=Ahillen |first=Steve |date=September 20, 1981 |title=Brad White Doing All Right in Tampa |page=63 |work=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106638575/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/|newspaper=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 20, 1981|page=63|title=Brad White Doing All Right in Tampa|author=Ahillen, Steve}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{Cite news |urllast=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106639298/the-tennessean/Wood |newspaperfirst=[[TheTom Tennessean]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 10, 1981|page=95 |title=Ex-Vol Lineman Brad White Paying Dues At Tampa Bay With Super Bowl Thoughts |authorpage=Wood,95 Tom|work=[[The Tennessean]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106639298/the-tennessean/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> At first, they had him play exclusively on the [[special teams]].<ref name="auto10" /> Against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] on October 25, White blocked a 54-yard [[field goal]], which was the first time this was accomplished in team history.<ref>{{Cite news |urllast=Selman |first=Jim |date=October 26, 1981 |title=Bucs Play Giveaway |page=45, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106639008106639086/the-tampa-tribune/ 50] |newspaperwork=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 26, 1981|pageurl=45, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106639086106639008/the-tampa-tribune/ 50]|title=Bucs Play Giveaway|author=Selman, Jim|quote=And the Bucs even foiled a 54-yard field goal by [[Tony Franklin (kicker)|Franklin]] in the third quarter when it was 7-7. Leaper Brad White got a hand on the ball. The Bucs have had only one outright blocked kick in their history. |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> "On field goal attempts, I'm what they call the 'jumper,' the guy who's supposed to block the kick," White said.<ref name="auto5" /> The Buccaneers eventually made the playoffs, but lost 0–38 to the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in the divisionalDivisional gameRound.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.profootballarchivespro-football-reference.com/1981nfltbteams/tam/1981.htmlhtm |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football ArchivesReference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1981Divisional Round - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)at Dallas Cowboys - January 2nd, 1982 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198201020dal.htm |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> White played every regular season game in the season and also appeared in their one playoff game, recording 22 tackles on the year.<ref name="auto9"/><ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bucpower.com/brad-white.html|website=bucpower.com|title=Brad White}}</ref>

In a strike-shortened [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]], White played in all nine regular season games and made three tackles.<ref name="auto6"/><ref name="auto7">{{Cite web |title=1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.profootballarchivespro-football-reference.com/1982nfltbteams/tam/1982.htmlhtm |websiteaccess-date=ProJanuary Football26, 2023 Archives|titlewebsite=1982[[Pro TampaFootball BayReference]] Buccaneers (NFL)|language=en}}</ref> He helped the Buccaneers compile a 5–4 record and make it to the playoffs, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys for the second consecutive year.<ref name="auto7" /> In the following season, White appeared in all 16 games, but did not start any, as Tampa Bay finished 2–14.<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.profootballarchivespro-football-reference.com/1983nfltbteams/tam/1983.htmlhtm |websiteaccess-date=ProJanuary Football26, 2023 Archives|titlewebsite=1983[[Pro TampaFootball BayReference]] Buccaneers (NFL)|language=en}}</ref> He recorded a total of 20 tackles on the season.<ref name="auto6"/>

Despite impressing in the {{NFL Year|1984}} preseason, and coach [[John McKay (American football)|John McKay]] declaring White to be the team's best backup nose tackle and [[defensive end]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selman |first=Jim |date=August 7, 1984 |title=Clouds of concern shift over Bucs |page=113 |work=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106643131/the-tampa-tribune/|newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 7, 1984|author=Selman, Jim|title=Clouds of concern shift over Bucs|page=113}} {{Open access}}</ref> White was released at the final roster cuts in August.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite news |last=Selman |first=Jim |date=August 28, 1984 |title=Capece waived by Bucs |page=100 |work=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106642808/the-tampa-tribune/|newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 28, 1984|page=100|author=Selman, Jim|title=Capece waived by Bucs}} {{Open access}}</ref> His release was described as "the biggest surprise of all" by ''[[The Tampa Tribune]]''.<ref name="auto4" /> McKay said that the play of new signings [[Brison Manor]] and [[Byron Braggs]] contributed to his release.<ref name="auto4" /> "It came as a complete surprise," White said.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Nick |date=August 18, 1985 |title=New life |page=33 |work=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106644022/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/|newspaper=[[The Knoxville News-Sentinel]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 18, 1985|page=33|title=New life|author=Gates, Nick}} {{Open access}}</ref>

On August 31, White was signed by the [[Indianapolis Colts]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106643211/the-des-moines-register/|newspaper=[[The Des Moines Register]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 1, 1984|page=19|title=Colts sign Brad White}} {{Open access}}</ref> He played as second-string nose tackle for most of the season, behind [[Leo Wisniewski]].<ref name="auto3" /> White mostly appeared on special teams, but became a starter for the final two games of the year after Wisniewski was injured.<ref name="auto3" /> They were the first two starts of his career.<ref name="auto9"/> White finished the season with 15 games played, two as a starter, and 39 tackles, including 13 solo stops.<ref name="auto3" /> He also made two sacks for a loss of 16 yards and pressured the quarterback into throwing the ball away nine times, which was fourth-highest on the team.<ref name="auto3" />

After Wisniewski announced his plans to sit out the [[1985 NFL season|1985 season]], White was named the Colts' starting nose tackle.<ref name="auto3" /> White had his best year as a professional in 1985, starting 15 out of 16 games and making 97 tackles, leading the team's defensive line as the Colts finished 5–11.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |urllast=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106644654/the-indianapolis-news/Rietmann |newspaperfirst=[[TheTom Indianapolis Colts]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 11, 1986|page=13 |title=Colts cut four as team prepares for Bears |authorpage=Rietmann,13 Tom|work=[[The Indianapolis Colts]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106644654/the-indianapolis-news/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.profootballarchivespro-football-reference.com/1985nflindteams/clt/1985.htmlhtm |websiteaccess-date=ProJanuary Football26, 2023 Archives|titlewebsite=1985[[Pro IndianapolisFootball ColtsReference]] (NFL)|language=en}}</ref> He also made one sack.<ref name="auto9"/> White was released in August {{NFL Year|1986}} after losing a training camp battle to [[Willie Broughton]].<ref name="auto2" />

In {{NFL Year|1987}}, White was signed by the [[Minnesota Vikings]] as a [[replacement player]] during the [[1987 NFL strike|NFLPA strike]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sansevere |first=Robert |date=October 9, 1987 |title=Mularkey rejoins striking Vikings after misunderstanding |page=79 |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106644976/star-tribune/|newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 9, 1987|page=79|title=Mularkey rejoins striking Vikings after misunderstanding|author=Sansevere, Robert}} {{Open access}}</ref> He appeared in one game, starting in a 7–27 loss to the [[Chicago Bears]] before being released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhitBr20/gamelog/1987/|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|title=Brad White 1987 Game Log}}</ref> It was the final game of his NFL career.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Calhoun |first=Caleb |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Tennessee football's 10 DTs with best NFL careers |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2020/06/23/tennessee-football-defensive-tackles-nfl/3/ |websiteaccess-date=[[FanSided]]|title=TennesseeJanuary football's26, 102023 DTs|website=All withfor best NFL careersTennessee|datepublisher=2020FanSided |authorlanguage=Calhoun, Caleben-US}}</ref>

White played six NFL seasons and finished his career with 73 games played, 18 as a starter, and three sacks.<ref name="auto1" /> He also unofficially made at least 181 tackles.<ref name="auto6"/><ref name="auto3" /><ref name="auto2" />

White died on July 1816, 2022, at the age of 63.<ref name="auto"/>