After an eight-year career with the New England Patriots, running back James White made his retirement official today. With the Patriots, White has won three Super Bowls.
“James White has always been one of the most reliable and dependable players on the field,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “He’s a soft-spoken leader who has led by example and was the best at what he did, leading all NFL running backs in receptions and receiving touchdowns over the past seven years. Our fans will remain eternally grateful for his record-setting performance in Super Bowl LI when he helped the Patriots overcome a 28-3 deficit by scoring 20 points, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. As great of a player as James has been for us, he’s an even better person. He is a man of great character and integrity and earned everyone’s respect through his work ethic, professionalism and positive daily demeanor. James became a part of the Patriots’ family while in New England and while his presence in our locker room will be missed, we are happy for James and his family as they embark on a new adventure. As a three-time Super Bowl Champion, we look forward to celebrating his career contributions for years to come.”
The 30-year-old White was selected by the team in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound player made 13 starts in 95 games during the regular season, rushed for 1,278 yards on 319 attempts, scored 11 touchdowns, and caught 381 passes for 3,278 yards and 25 more. He also participated in 12 postseason games, including three starts, and amassed 506 yards and three scores on 59 receptions in addition to his 146 rushing yards on 36 attempts.
“James defines the term consummate professional,” said head coach Bill Belichick. “His dependability, consistency, unselfishness and performance under pressure are elite. Combining great intelligence, quickness and elusiveness, James was a perfect fit for our pass offense. While soft spoken, he brought exceptional leadership and competitive toughness to the team. He was a multi-year team captain and one of the most respected, best team players I have ever coached.”
