Another Heisman Bust: Jason White retires

[Bronco LB 59]

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/TEN/8726985

Heisman winner White gives up football

NFL.com wire reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 11, 2005) -- Former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White ended his professional career, citing his weak knees.

White, who had been competing for third quarterback with the Tennessee Titans, said he has the head and heart to play in the NFL, but not the knees.

"It's always been a dream of mine, but certain things won't allow me to chase that dream," White said. "It's kind of out of my hands at this point."

White won the Heisman in 2003 and led Oklahoma to back-to-back BCS title games. He is Oklahoma's career passing leader with 7,922 yards and in touchdown passes with 81.

He joined the Titans in May as an undrafted rookie after an audition with the Kansas City Chiefs did not lead to a contract offer.

White said he was still feeling the effects of reconstructive surgery on both knees while he was in college.

"I always had trouble, even in the summer, dropping back when practice wasn't every day," he said. "Now that practice was every day it got to the point where one of my knees was super sore, so I started favoring it with the other one. Then the other one started hurting. I took a couple of days off this week and it hasn't really changed."

He said he informed coach Jeff Fisher of his decision Aug. 10.

[Sideburn]

I wouldn't really call him a bust. Never had a chance is more appropriate. Having torn both ACLs can really be a setback.

[Bronco LB 59]

I wouldn't really call him a bust. Never had a chance is more appropriate. Having torn both ACLs can really be a setback.

He was never going to be a good NFL QB even with healthy knees. I think White is a good kid, but he benefited from having a deep supporting cast around him and put up gawdy numbers. He simply was the quarterback on one of the top teams in the country and he got rewarded for OU's juggernaut run until their lost in the Big XII Title Game. Just this last draft, his top three wide receivers got taken in the first three rounds (Clayton, Bradley, Jones). How many times has that happened in history? White was not even the best player on Oklahoma the year he took home the hardware. Clayton, Harris, Lehman, Strait and Cody were all better players.

[Crushaholic]

People wondered why he went undrafted. This is why...age and health.

[Jens1893]

can i retire from the nfl as well? after all my career wasnt much different from whites ;)

[Crushaholic]

can i retire from the nfl as well? after all my career wasnt much different from whites ;)

At least you didn't suffer the indignity of being told by Vermeil that you suck. He keeps EVERY loser that passes through KC...except White...

[SoonerBronco]

At least you didn't suffer the indignity of being told by Vermeil that you suck. He keeps EVERY loser that passes through KC...except White...

White is not, nor ever will be a loser...I can assure you that.

[Florida_Bronco]

I wouldn't really call him a bust. Never had a chance is more appropriate. Having torn both ACLs can really be a setback.

I agree with you. Sometimes these things happen before the players even get an oppurtunity.

[maven]

can i retire from the nfl as well? after all my career wasnt much different from whites ;)

Agree. How does he retire when he's never played in the NFL.

[watermock]

White is not, nor ever will be a loser...I can assure you that.

You his big or little brother? I don't even know the the guy is.

[Garcia Bronco]

Complete pussy...shouldn't have won the Heistmann at all

[Bronco LB 59]

Complete p***Y...shouldn't have won the Heistmann at all

I wonder what all his voters are saying now? Idiots didn't want to vote for Larry Fitzgerald because he was a wide receiver. I guess Tim Brown, Johnny Rodgers and Desmond Howard didn't ring a bell.

[Bronco LB 59]

White is not, nor ever will be a loser...I can assure you that.

Other than the Red River Shootout, did White ever win a big game? OU always beats Texas so White's presence didn't make any difference.

[Mile High Shack]

Complete p***Y...shouldn't have won the Heistmann at all

I doubt a dude who came back from 2 reconstructed ACL's is a pussy

[Mile High Shack]

Other than the Red River Shootout, did White ever win a big game? OU always beats Texas so White's presence didn't make any difference.

that I agree with you on, although, I'm not sure if you realize just how big the OU/Texas game is......but other than that, he did choke in both national championship games.....kinda. The LSU game, Kiwan Jones let a ball go through his hands that would've tied it in the 4th qtr.

USC game was a complete mismatch

[Garcia Bronco]

I doubt a dude who came back from 2 reconstructed ACL's is a p***Y

He didn't really comeback did he? I guess it could be said that he came back for a while...but he's young....Take Terry Allen for example....blew'em both up as an RB and he cameback..and I believe made the pro-bowl...He's not a pussy...I was being overly harsh for effect....but it's good he retired...because obviously his heart wasn't really in it.

[Crushaholic]

Hehe...In honor of this thread, I think I'll pop in the tape of the 2003 Big XII Title game again... Nnyah!

[Garcia Bronco]

OU had no business in that NCG last season...

[Atlas]

The Heisman is about the best college player, not the best pro prospect. White deserved it. He was the QB on the National Championship team and he was clutch.

[Bronco LB 59]

that I agree with you on, although, I'm not sure if you realize just how big the OU/Texas game is......but other than that, he did choke in both national championship games.....kinda. The LSU game, Kiwan Jones let a ball go through his hands that would've tied it in the 4th qtr.

USC game was a complete mismatch

I understand the magnitude of the Red River Shootout. There are a good number fans in Austin that still haven't given Vincent Young total respect even after his Rose Bowl performance because he has never won the Red River Shootout. OU blew out Texas 65-13 in the season in White's Heisman year. It wouldn't have made a difference if White played or not. He was surrounded by a juggernaut team that was clicking on all cylinders and it made him look better than he was. Last year's 12-0 shutout should be credited to OU's D. White went 14-26 for 113 yards. Hardly a Heisman caliber performance.

[Bronco LB 59]

The Heisman is about the best college player, not the best pro prospect. White deserved it. He was the QB on the National Championship team and he was clutch.

You're not the best player in college football if the NFL totally ignores you in a seven round draft. I think of a Heisman caliber player as somebody who could play on any of Division 1-A's 119 teams and still standout on a national level. That's the true mark of a great player. Second, he wasn't the QB on a National Championship team. During his Heisman season, White wasn't even the QB for the Big XII championship team! Anyways, it sounds like you are creating an award for college football's most recognizable figurehead.

[SoonerBronco]

You're not the best player in college football if the NFL totally ignores you in a seven round draft. I think of a Heisman caliber player as somebody who could play on any of Division 1-A's 119 teams and still standout on a national level. That's the true mark of a great player. Second, he wasn't the QB on a National Championship team. During his Heisman season, White wasn't even the QB for the Big XII championship team! Anyways, it sounds like you are creating an award for college football's most recognizable figurehead.

Listen, JW was as tough as they come. At OU the coaches let me rest and not take as grueling of a practice as the rest of the players did. This limited the wear and tear on the knees. In the NFL however, he was out to prove something and was going harder and faster, one, because he had to and two, because the speed of the game is faster at the NFL level.

JW has virtually no cartilage left in his knees, they were sore and swelling everyday and he was faced with the reality of pulling third string and chancing not being able to walk someday, or retiring and admitting he couldn't make it ( not that he didn't want too). JW chose his future. He will make lots of money here in OK where OU Football is a religion worshiped on Saturdays. As a saint of that religion, he won't have a problem doing whatever he wants to do.

Crushaholic: That comment was sad. Act like you guys have won a few, oh wait, I'm sorry...that's the only football trophy you guys have. Well, I guess it's okay to gloat for that one...heh

[SoonerBronco]

OU had no business in that NCG last season...

Whatever Garcia. Yes they got annihilated, but do you really think Auburn would have faired better? VTech had a chance to win the game in the 4th...

The hate for OU on this board is rediculous.

[SoonerBronco]

it's good he retired...because obviously his heart wasn't really in it.

Put down the weed Garcia.

WHo are you to judge JW's heart. The kid was amazing athlete in HS, I know, I played against him. He was recruited by and almost went to Miami (don't you know they wish they had him instead of Berlin). He blew out both knees and still came back and totally switched his style of play. Not a easy task.

He did win every game against UTERUS which are BIG games. And he won a Big XII championship last year (just ask the Buffs fans how heartless he was). Did he have bad NC games...YES. Does not mean he has no heart.

[Bronco LB 59]

Listen, JW was as tough as they come. At OU the coaches let me rest and not take as grueling of a practice as the rest of the players did. This limited the wear and tear on the knees. In the NFL however, he was out to prove something and was going harder and faster, one, because he had to and two, because the speed of the game is faster at the NFL level.

JW has virtually no cartilage left in his knees, they were sore and swelling everyday and he was faced with the reality of pulling third string and chancing not being able to walk someday, or retiring and admitting he couldn't make it ( not that he didn't want too). JW chose his future. He will make lots of money here in OK where OU Football is a religion worshiped on Saturdays. As a saint of that religion, he won't have a problem doing whatever he wants to do.

I never said Jason White wasn't a good kid. I think what he did the last two seasons was admirable. Despite his remarkable comeback, he didn't deserve to win the Heisman Trophy. Futhermore, his NFL impact would have been similar to Chris Weinke even with healthy knees.

Hey, he has a spot reserved for him in the sacred halls of the College Football Hall of Fame. He will go down with Billy Vessels, Tommy McDonald, Jerry Tubbs, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Lee Roy Selmon, Tony Castillas, Keith Jackson, Josh Heupel, Roy Williams, Tommie Harris as Sooner legends.

[SoonerBronco]

I never said Jason White wasn't a good kid. I think what he did the last two seasons was admirable. Despite his remarkable comeback, he didn't deserve to win the Heisman Trophy. Futhermore, his NFL impact would have been similar to Chris Weinke even with healthy knees.

Hey, he has a spot reserved for him in the sacred halls of the College Football Hall of Fame. He will go down with Billy Vessels, Tommy McDonald, Jerry Tubbs, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Lee Roy Selmon, Tony Castillas, Keith Jackson, Josh Heupel, Roy Williams, Tommie Harris as Sooner legends.

You are entitled to your opinion and that is fine, but he did deserve to win the Heisman that year...40TD's 8INTs 3700 yards. 12-2 record. He had as of credentials as anyone that year. Saying he didn't deserve it is rediculous.

[Bronco LB 59]

He did win every game against UTERUS which are BIG games. And he won a Big XII championship last year (just ask the Buffs fans how heartless he was). Did he have bad NC games...YES. Does not mean he has no heart.


Don't refer to last year's Big XII Championship against CU by calling it a "BIG GAME". That game was no tougher than OU hosting Bowling Green and Omar Jacobs in week one.

[Bronco LB 59]

You are entitled to your opinion and that is fine, but he did deserve to win the Heisman that year...40TD's 8INTs 3700 yards. 12-2 record. He had as of credentials as anyone that year. Saying he didn't deserve it is rediculous.

No, he wasn't even the best player on his own team. I would have supported Teddy Lehman or Tommie Harris as Heisman candidates. However, the idiot voters restrict their frame of mind exclusively to quarterbacks and running backs. Many of these QBs are figurehead, no-talent losers like Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerrfel and Gino Torretta. Meanwhile, better players like Ladainian Tomlinson, Orlando Pace and Marshall Faulk get snubbed.

Like I said earlier, White had the advantage of playing on a juggernaut team with a lights out defense and had the privledge of throwing balls to three first day wide receivers (Mark Clayton, Brandon Jones, Mark Bradley). The Outland award winner Jammal Brown gave him all day to throw. Who knows? Davin Joseph may win the Outland Trophy this year as well.

[SoonerBronco]

Don't refer to last year's Big XII Championship against CU by calling it a "BIG GAME". That game was no tougher than OU hosting Bowling Green and Omar Jacobs in week one.

ANY Championship game is a "BIG GAME." Doesn't matter who you play. We were supposed to kill KState the year before. Ask them if it was a "BIG GAME". Unfortunately, we gave them the only trophy they have to hang their hat on.

[SoonerBronco]

No, he wasn't even the best player on his own team. I would have supported Teddy Lehman or Tommie Harris as Heisman candidates. However, the idiot voters restrict their frame of mind exclusively to quarterbacks and running backs. Many of these QBs are figurehead, no-talent losers like Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerrfel and Gino Torretta. Meanwhile, better players like Ladainian Tomlinson, Orlando Pace and Marshall Faulk get snubbed.

Like I said earlier, White had the advantage of playing on a juggernaut team with a lights out defense and had the privledge of throwing balls to three first day wide receivers (Mark Clayton, Brandon Jones, Mark Bradley). The Outland award winner Jammal Brown gave him all day to throw. Who knows? Davin Joseph may win the Outland Trophy this year as well.

Sorry to have to tell you this, BUT...team success = individual rewards. You know whats funny about the players you mentioned from OU?...only one was nationally coveted coming out of high school. That was Davin. Jammal was a regional guy who was a D-linemen first. Mark Clayton was about the 10th rated reciever coming out of Texas, and Bradley was a transfer from Ark-Pine Bluff. Jason was more highly recruited than all of them. Granted Jason benefitted from them, but they benefited from his as well. It works both ways.

[Bronco LB 59]

ANY Championship game is a "BIG GAME." Doesn't matter who you play. We were supposed to kill KState the year before. Ask them if it was a "BIG GAME". Unfortunately, we gave them the only trophy they have to hang their hat on.

Please! The Big XII North last season was no tougher than the Mountain West Conference. Colorado didn't have any player that could take over a game and give OU a run for their money. Kansas State had Darren Sproles (fifth in the Heisman voting) who was the best running back in Division 1-A in 2003 (sorry Chris Perry fans). There's a big difference in both scenarios.

[Bronco LB 59]

Sorry to have to tell you this, BUT...team success = individual rewards. You know whats funny about the players you mentioned from OU?...only one was nationally coveted coming out of high school. That was Davin. Jammal was a regional guy who was a D-linemen first. Mark Clayton was about the 10th rated reciever coming out of Texas, and Bradley was a transfer from Ark-Pine Bluff. Jason was more highly recruited than all of them. Granted Jason benefitted from them, but they benefited from his as well. It works both ways.

"Team success=individual rewards" translates to let's give the award to a "figurehead" instead of the top collegiate player in the nation. OU's defense was the top unit on the Sooners that season, not the offense. If you wanted to reward a Sooner for being a dominant player, you start a Heisman campaign for Lehman or Harris.

Who cares where they were recruited? There's a big difference from a scrawny 17 year old and a full grown man at 21. Not all kids recruited out of high school are finished growing and developing.

[SoonerBronco]

Please! The Big XII North last season was no tougher than the Mountain West Conference. Colorado didn't have any player that could take over a game and give OU a run for their money. Kansas State had Darren Sproles (fifth in the Heisman voting) who was the best running back in Division 1-A in 2003 (sorry Chris Perry fans). There's a big difference in both scenarios.

PLEASE! That's why they play the game. Doesn't matter what players you have. Any team can be beated on any given night period. Championship games are always big games.

[SoonerBronco]

"Team success=individual rewards" translates to let's give the award to a "figurehead" instead of the top collegiate player in the nation. OU's defense was the top unit on the Sooners that season, not the offense. If you wanted to reward a Sooner for being a dominant player, you start a Heisman campaign for Lehman or Harris.

Who cares where they were recruited? There's a big difference from a scrawny 17 year old and a full grown man at 21. Not all kids recruited out of high school are finished growing and developing.

They all benefitted from each other. Just ask any of those guys how they feel Jason White was as a player. Really, when it comes down to it, it is their opinion, not ours, that has the most merrit.

From what you say, they could have plugged anyone in there at QB and they would have done just as good. Not the case at all.

[Bronco LB 59]

PLEASE! That's why they play the game. Doesn't matter what players you have. Any team can be beated on any given night period. Championship games are always big games.

Big XII and Dr. Pepper slapped the "Championship Game" name onto it. There was nothing that was championship quality about OU and CU last season. There were five teams in the Big XII South that were better than CU in 04. CU went 0-4 versus the Big XII South. The conference championship games were created to generate more revenue. Every so often, we are subjected to a bad conference title game like Tennessee-Mississippi State in 1998 and we are forced to deal with it.

[Northman]

White is not, nor ever will be a loser...I can assure you that.


*coughbull****cough*

[Northman]

The Heisman is about the best college player, not the best pro prospect. White deserved it. He was the QB on the National Championship team and he was clutch.


He wasnt even the best College Player. he was very fortuante to be surrounded by a ****load of talent. does Scott Frost ring a bell? both of these guys were very average and proved to be fact after their College careers.

[Bronco LB 59]

They all benefitted from each other. Just ask any of those guys how they feel Jason White was as a player. Really, when it comes down to it, it is their opinion, not ours, that has the most merrit.

From what you say, they could have plugged anyone in there at QB and they would have done just as good. Not the case at all.


No, Jason White was a good QB at Oklahoma. Losing White was a huge loss for Oklahoma. He just wasn't the best player in the country. The best player in the country should be able to standout on any of the 119 Division 1-A football teams. There have been Heisman candidates from lower tier schools like Randy Moss, Steve McNair and Marshall Faulk that stood out and earned the trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony because they could play in any situation. White doesn't succeed in any situation because he lacks the mobility and arm strength. White wasn't the type of QB that puts a team on his back and rises above the situation. He was a good QB that put up big numbers on a juggernaut team led by a fierce defense.

By the way, the Heisman voters are idiots and I don't think their track record has much merit. Every year, they continue to dog defensive players and offensive linemen even though some of them have great cases for "best collegiate player" in the country. How many peabrain voters said, "I am not voting for Larry Fitzgerald because he is a wide receiver"? Plus, they are biased against most players that don't play in their section of the country.

[Garcia Bronco]

Whatever Garcia. Yes they got annihilated, but do you really think Auburn would have faired better? VTech had a chance to win the game in the 4th...

The hate for OU on this board is rediculous.

Virginia Tech would have wiped the floor with OU and any other big 12 team...because the conference is weak...and it's been weak for years. Sans OU's actual ass kicking of FSU...which I consider the hardest hitting game I've ever seen. The Sugar Bowl last season represented probably the two best defensive teams in all of college football last year. And that's why Virginia Tech had a chance to win the game late.

[Garcia Bronco]

Put down the weed Garcia.

WHo are you to judge JW's heart. The kid was amazing athlete in HS, I know, I played against him. He was recruited by and almost went to Miami (don't you know they wish they had him instead of Berlin). He blew out both knees and still came back and totally switched his style of play. Not a easy task.

He did win every game against UTERUS which are BIG games. And he won a Big XII championship last year (just ask the Buffs fans how heartless he was). Did he have bad NC games...YES. Does not mean he has no heart.

Texas is a weak team and is only ranked high to give OU prestige for kicking their ass.

And what I meant was his heart isn't in football anymore...obviously...because he retired. :)

[SoCalBronco]

I think if Vag Tech was able to persuade Kevin Jones to stay for his senior year last year they would have won the national title....easily. They already outplayed USC without him until the refs started throwing the game. They would have raped everyone last year if he stayed.

[Garcia Bronco]

I'm gonna agree with you.

[SoonerBronco]

Virginia Tech would have wiped the floor with OU and any other big 12 team...because the conference is weak...and it's been weak for years. Sans OU's actual ass kicking of FSU...which I consider the hardest hitting game I've ever seen. The Sugar Bowl last season represented probably the two best defensive teams in all of college football last year. And that's why Virginia Tech had a chance to win the game late.

Like I said before, the hate for OU on this board is obsurd.

[rbackfactory80]

He had heart but that did not prove to be enough.

[rbackfactory80]

Like I said before, the hate for OU on this board is obsurd.

Just glad I put my money on U.S.C.

[Garcia Bronco]

Like I said before, the hate for OU on this board is obsurd.

What do you mean...I said OU kicked FSU's ass is what a considered a great game and actually earned top honors...but the past two seasons has been a complete load of **** as far as how the media...the MEDIA....regarded OU.