Since being a fourth-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, James White has been a strong contributor to the team, especially catching the ball out of the backfield. Last season, he caught 87 passes for 751 yards and seven touchdowns.
There is more to White than just being one of Tom Brady's favorite targets, so let's look at four things you need to know.
4. White Married his longtime girlfriend last offseason
White met his now wife Diana Civitello White while attending college at the University of Wisconsin. Last off-season, White married her, which means he has added a ring each of the last three seasons.
Two of the last three seasons the Patriots have won a Super Bowl, and last year, although the Patriots didn't win a Super Bowl ring, he did add a wedding ring to his hand.
The two don't have any kids yet, but maybe that is something that is still in the works and will happen in the coming years.
3. Played for one of the most respected high school football schools in the country
White grew up in South Florida and went to St. Thomas Aquinas High School, which is known as a powerhouse for football.
As a senior in 2009, he was one of the top running backs in the school and that got him the chance to play with the Badgers.
White is one of many players who played at St. Thomas and made it to the NFL. Geno Atkins, Giovani Bernard, and Joey Bosa are just some of the players who played at St. Thomas Aquinas and also went on to the next level to continue their football career.
2. Has a unique nickname
James White earned the nickname “Sweet Feet” during high school and the way he received it was quite unique. In 2017, White explained to Mike Reiss of ESPN how it came to be.
Each year during Homecoming Week, a teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) High School is asked to create a fake story about the football team's opponent.
During White's senior year, the mascot of the opposing team was the Cobras, so the teacher, Adam Aloma, devised a story involving White's great-great-grandfather.
“The whole story went back to James White’s great-great-grandfather, who came to St. Thomas, and there was a cobra on campus that was terrorizing everybody,” Aloma told Reiss. “Everybody was scared of the cobra. Nobody knew how to handle it. Administration was scared. Everyone was locked in their rooms.”
“But James’ great-great-grandfather was the only one brave enough to step into the hallways. His feet were so quick that he knew he could try to stomp on the cobra’s neck without getting bitten. So I referred to him as ‘Sweet Feet’ White and said, ‘That’s why James’ new nickname is James ‘Sweet Feet' White.'”
White didn't use the nickname a lot during college but embraced it again once he came to the NFL.
1. Wants Fantasy Football Owners to draft him
Back in May, White made it clear after a big 2018 season what he wanted Fantasy Football owners to do. He told reporters that owners needed to draft him to be on their team.
“Pick me, you can't go wrong, right?” White said with a smile when asked about fantasy owners considering drafting him via Yahoo.com.
The backfield is crowded, but with White's ability to catch the ball he is a good fantasy football option, especially in PPR leagues.
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