I picked my head up, sat back in my chair and the phone was ringing.’’There’s no easy way to get to Cotton Valley, La., White’s hometown. “Maybe get it signed and put it on his grave. He would invite his neighbors in Cotton Valley to trail ride parties, with horses and barbecue. Houston continued to be by his side, sending inspirational text messages and driving around the country (he hates to fly) to watch his games. “We played a whole season and did not win one game. “Not even a caution light.’’Cotton Valley used to be a vibrant country town just a few miles from the Arkansas state line. Devin White.
He was unstoppable. As fate would have it, Shaw’s grandson, Xavious, used to bring White.X-man, as they called him, was playing football. That was before the International Paper Company moved out in 1979 and the population fell to below 1,000 and the average household income plummeted to poverty level.Sports were the biggest outlet for kids growing up there.
When he was 7-years-old, White played football for the Cullen Saints with kids who were 9 and 10 years old. It was a call from an 813 area code.With the fifth overall pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected White.“I was like, man, it was just meant to be,’’ White said.When he arrived to the Bucs’ AdventHeath Training Center Friday, White walked past a statue of Barber and several Bucs Super Bowl teammates.White is hoping to find that jersey when he returns to Louisiana.
I scored all the touchdowns.
2016 RB/LB Devin White 2014 season highlight remix - YouTube Check out Devin White's high school sports timeline including game updates while playing football at North Webster High School from 2012 through 2016. It was like bringing my brother with us.“Every day, I wish he could be here right now witnessing this in a physical form.
4 pick. He’s in fourth grade. But man, I can’t change anything.
White was 14.White played varsity as a freshman at North Webster High in Springhill, which had consolidated with Cotton Valley. “I never forget sitting in the stands watching him play.
They said, “That’s Devin White. Houston had to show White’s birth certificate to opposing coaches to prove he was only 10 years old.Word spread through northern Louisiana quickly. Tampa Bay (NFL) LSU (NCAA) North Webster (HS) Pos RB; Height 6-0.5; Weight 258; Evaluation; Timeline; Prospect Info. He wrecked a dirt bike and tore something up and he got hit by a four-wheeler and was back home on crutches and that’s all I knew as a kid.
“I saw the look in his eye.
Houston waited to talk to him but his pitch fell short.
TAMPA — At the moment the NFL was about to reveal his future, Devin White put his head in his hands, closed his eyes and peered into the past.The Raiders had just selected Clemson defensive tackle Clelin Ferrell with the No. “He said, ‘Look, you seem like a nice guy, but I’m a basketball player,’’’ Houston said.He knew George Shaw, 63, who raised horses on a 160-acre farm. It kind of hit him, man you didn’t forget.
I really didn’t know how to accept it.’’“The way I feel spiritually, it’s a responsibility of mine to make sure Devin and all of JJ siblings are taken care of the rest of their lives.’’A year later, it was Houston who convinced White to attend the LSU football camp, where he ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and was offered a football scholarship by head coach Les Miles on the spot. Man he just wanted to take care of the family which is what I wanted to do.’’Everyone’s life changed on June 11, 2011. Tampa Bay was on the clock.White had brought a graduation picture of his stepbrother, J’Marco Jewel Greenard, whom everyone called J.J., to the green room at the draft in Nashville.“Right after the Raiders pick when in, I just put my head down and I like closed my eyes and I was like, ‘I’m about to go to your team,’’’ White said Friday after his introductory media conference at One Buc Place.“I was just talking to him in my head.
To be honest, there’s no easy way to get out, either.There is no full traffic light, just a single blinking yellow caution light.“And in (nearby) Cullen you got zero,’’ White said.
Enrolled in the Army. And on Thursday at the hotel in Nashville while dressing for the draft, he handed his stepfather the picture of J.J. from his graduation he had sneaked out of the house.“I said, ‘Make sure this gets in the green room,’’’ White said.
High School . He always said he wanted to fight for the country.