William White (American football) facts for kids
White at a 2019 Lima Senior High School event in his honor
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| Born: | February 19, 1966 Lima, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Died: | July 28, 2022 (aged 56) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Safety |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| College | Ohio State |
| NFL draft | 1988 / Round: 4 / Pick: 85 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1988–1993 | Detroit Lions |
| 1994–1996 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1997–1998 | Atlanta Falcons |
William Eugene White (born February 19, 1966 – died July 28, 2022) was an American professional football player. He played as a safety for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was part of the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons teams from 1988 to 1998.
Early Life and College Football
William White was born in Lima, Ohio, on February 19, 1966. He went to Lima Senior High School in his hometown. There, he played both football and basketball. He graduated from high school in 1984.
After high school, William went to Ohio State University. He played as a defensive back for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. In his final year, he was a co-captain for the team. He was also chosen for the All-Big Ten Conference team in 1987, which means he was one of the best players in his college league. He helped his team win the Big Ten Conference championship in 1984 and 1986. William was very good at catching passes from the other team, called interceptions. In 1985, he had the second-most interceptions in his conference.
In 1988, the Detroit Lions picked William White in the fourth round of the 1988 NFL Draft. This meant he was ready to play professional football.
Playing in the NFL
William White started his NFL career with the Detroit Lions on September 4, 1988. He was 22 years old. In his first game, the Lions won against the Atlanta Falcons. During his first year, he played in all 16 games and made 16 tackles.
The next year, William became a regular starter for the Lions. He was known for making big plays, like returning fumbles for touchdowns. In 1990, he was one of the top players in the NFL for interceptions, catching 5 passes from opposing teams. He started every game for the Lions from 1990 to 1993. In his six seasons with the Lions, he played in 95 games and made 450 tackles, along with 13 interceptions.
In 1994, William was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. In his first year with the Chiefs, he played in 15 games and made 60 tackles. After three seasons with the Chiefs, he signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 1997.
William played for the Falcons for two seasons, starting all 32 games. In 1998, he again showed his skill by returning a fumble for a touchdown. That same year, the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl XXXIII. Even though the Falcons lost to the Denver Broncos, William White played a great game, making nine tackles. This Super Bowl was the last game of his 11-year NFL career.
Life After Football
After retiring from professional football, William White moved back to Ohio. He worked as an engineer. He was married to Nikol and they had three children: William Jr., Brendon, and Brea. His son, Brendon, also played football for Ohio State University and was named the defensive MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the 2019 Rose Bowl game.
In 2016, William White was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a serious illness that affects the nerves and muscles. Two years later, his old high school, Lima Senior High School, honored him. He was one of the first people to be put into their Athletic Hall of Fame. The school also retired his jersey number, which means no other player will wear that number again. William White passed away from ALS on July 28, 2022, at the age of 56.
Images for kids
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White at a 2019 Lima Senior High School event in his honor
