When Pat White was in Morgantown for the reunion weekend and the annual Gold-Blue scrimmage he said he was unsure about what he wanted to do in the future, but he did make it known that he wanted to play sports. Now White will playing football for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League and wants to prove he has the skills and the ability to play at the professional level.
That interview took place a few months after he retired from playing baseball with the Kansas City Royals minor league organization. After that White seemed to be in the stage of his life when he was trying to decide what he wanted to do and if playing sports was a possibility.
“I guess I just had to step back and take deep breath and get back to Patrick, the person who my parents raised,” said White during Monday introductory teleconference. “Fortunately I was able to do that and I was able to get back into the game. I’m excited about the future. Been working and happy to get back to work.”
Mountaineer fans are well aware of the grit and determination he shows on the field. White will be remembered as on of the greatest players and toughest competitors in Mountaineer history. Now since he is on a new team he has another challenge and that is to compete for the starting quarterback spot.
He will compete against UFL veteran Chris Greisen, former Marshall quarterback Derek Devine and former UConn signal caller Dennis Brown for the starting QB spot. It seems like White has his work cut out for him, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“The competition is what I love. It’s what this game’s about,” said White. “You have eleven guys versus eleven guys competing against each other and fortunately were able to compete against our teammates and make each other better and push each other. I’m excited to get out there and learn from these guys and hopefully teach them something at the same time.”
White says he hasn’t been working out with any trainer in particular and is still getting himself into football shape. He says he’s been doing most of his training by himself.
“I guess I’ve been backyard football. I go up to my high school [and] workout, I come home and I work on my drops, I work on my footwork, I also have a little puppy so I work him out,” joked White.
The Destroyers franchise is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which is an area where there are a decent amount of Mountaineer fans and it’s also an area the Mountaineers have recruited in the past. White says he expects to see some blue and gold jerseys in the stands this season.
“Mountaineer nation has one of the best fan bases in the country,” said an ecstatic White. “Driving around south Alabama or south Florida or even in California I’ve seen West Virginia banners and flyers around. I’m excited I’m ready to go and hopefully ready to fill those stands up.”
White was talking like this is going to be a great place and a good fit for him. The only thing he has to do now is work hard and do the best he can for the destroyers.
“What happens then hopefully will be nothing but positive,” said White.