We have sad news to pass along to Buckeye Nation.
Former Ohio State defensive back William White has passed away (subscription may be required) at age 56. According to the Columbus Dispatch, White had a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gherig’s Disease after first being diagnosed with the condition in 2016.
White played under Earl Bruce from 1984-1987 before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 1988 NFL draft. He had an eleven-year career in the NFL that took him from Detroit (six years) to Kansas City (three years), and then to Atlanta (two years).
White had an optimistic outlook after his diagnosis and showed it by the way he carried himself and responded to what was sobering news.
“When Dr. (Kevin) Weber told me I had ALS, I was like, ‘Oh, OK,’” White told The Dispatch in 2018. “He says, ‘You don’t understand, there is a 100 percent chance you are going to die.’ I told him, ‘Well, everybody who is born, there is a 100 percent chance they’re going to die. And no one is going to live into their thousands.'”
The Lions released a statement in tribute to White on social media on Thursday.
We share in the sadness felt today throughout the NFL community following the news of William White’s passing. Drafted by the Lions in the 4th round of the 1988 Draft out of Ohio State, White played 6 seasons in Detroit (1988-1993) & appeared in 95 games (79 starts) for the club. pic.twitter.com/v42P1KnbmA
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 29, 2022
White is survived by his wife, Nikol, and his three children — sons William Jr., Brendon, and daughter Brea.
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