The White File
- Won the C-USA Newcomer of the Year award, 2016
- One Second-team All-C-USA selection, 2017
- Transferred to Western Kentucky from South Florida
- Picked 171st overall in the 2018 NFL draft
- Beat the AFC-champion Cincinnati Bengals in his first career start
White, Redefined
Mike White is a career backup quarterback. He was barely the best player on his practice squads, let alone an actual NFL team. He sits behind starting quarterbacks for a living and does coaches favors on the scout team while others make headlines.
Then, he got a chance to play. White beat Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in his first career start, creating a rabid fanbase and a heightened level of respect in the locker room. He would relinquish the role to Zach Wilson until midseason 2022, the next year.
There, he popped off. Again. He destroyed a lousy Chicago Bears team and showed a playoff-hungry New York Jets team what competent quarterbacking could do. Everyone was riding the White Lightning. At least, almost everyone.
"Who are you?" Was what White was met at the door with from his wife after the Bears blowout. In a matter of hours, White had re-emerged as a rockstar in football's biggest market. The change of pace in play and in press conference had Jets fans demanding White started the rest of the season.
For now, he'll live out his days as Mike White: backup quarterback extraordinaire, Kurt Warner hopeful, and fan-favorite of the New York faithful. Maybe it'll all come crashing down. Maybe he's the savior for a cursed franchise. Who's to say?
If those dreams come true, Mrs. White will have some getting used to.