James White announces his retirement

SMU_Sox

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James White was the best receiving/3rd down back on the Patriots during the time I watched them. Model citizen. Model teammate. Terrific running back. He will be missed. Best of luck to him and his family.

It’s rare to find an RB who is good in pass pro and can run any route from anywhere on the field. White could lineup outside, in the slot, and from the backfield and smoke defenders. He is the gold standard for his position and role.
 

Kliq

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Probably the best in the line of effective third-down backs the Patriots have had over the years; which is saying something when you consider the success of Faulk, Dion Lewis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen and others.

Wouldn't be shocked to see him in Tampa.
 

rodderick

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One of my favorite players from the latter part of the dynasty. Consumate Patriot, always came up big when called upon. Sucks to see him retire after these latest injuries, wish James the best of luck in anything he pursues next.
 

greek_gawd_of_walks

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Great career. Probably for the best given how crowded the running back room is and how difficult hip injuries are to return from, especially as you get on in years. How many huge third and medium/longs did he convert that seemed downright impossible? Too many too count.

Thanks, sweet feet.
 

RedOctober3829

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A player who did his job and beyond on the field and an even better person off the field. He represented the Patriots the way you'd want a player to. The injury he suffered is a horrible one to try to come back from when you're that old and a running back. Hope he stays around the team as much as possible. He carried the torch passed down from Faulk and Vereen amazingly.
 

Ale Xander

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Thank you James for all that you did, particularly that final run vs the Dirty Birds and really the whole game you were awesome


you will Be sorely missed
 

Jungleland

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One of my all-time favorite Patriots. I am a little surprised to see this happen before week 6, but I suppose at this point it's been enough time where he knows the recovery isn't on track to have him back in time. Hell of a career.
 

PedroKsBambino

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He played his best game on the biggest stage when the team needed him the most - thank you James!
 

Saints Rest

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I'm not sure of any other member of the Patriots (or any other team really) who had BY FAR his best game ever in the championship game of his sport. Malcolm Butler had a more impactful single play, but White was a beast that entire game.

Lynn Swann or John Stallworth, Doug Williams, maybe a couple others, when you start to look at other franchises. (I don't know if the other sports could ever have as impactful a single game, due to the nature of multi-game series championships.)
 

Ralphwiggum

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Not surprising but I was hoping he had on more effective year in him. A great all time Patriot with an epic SB performance. I'll miss him.
 

PedroKsBambino

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I'm not sure of any other member of the Patriots (or any other team really) who had BY FAR his best game ever in the championship game of his sport. Malcolm Butler had a more impactful single play, but White was a beast that entire game.

Lynn Swann or John Stallworth, Doug Williams, maybe a couple others, when you start to look at other franchises. (I don't know if the other sports could ever have as impactful a single game, due to the nature of multi-game series championships.)
Nick Foles. Unfortunately.
 

BigSoxFan

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One of my favorite players ever. Get him on the coaching staff now. My brother met him and said he is just an awesome guy, like Matt Slater level good dude.
 

E5 Yaz

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Wouldn't be shocked to see him in Tampa.
I know we just think this with everyone who played with Brady, but I doubt that's the case here. White's hip injury was pretty bad and maybe not responding to let him play again. Also, he'd have to get traded to Tampa Bay, as was the case with the "retired" Gronk.
 

BigSoxFan

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I know we just think this with everyone who played with Brady, but I doubt that's the case here. White's hip injury was pretty bad and maybe not responding to let him play again. Also, he'd have to get traded to Tampa Bay, as was the case with the "retired" Gronk.
Yeah, you don’t mess with hip injuries. He’s done.
 

fiskful of dollars

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Agree with everything above. For me, the most impressive play that he made in Super Bowl LI was the 2-pt conversion. The old Faulk play/direct snap. That snap came in high and hard. It was really tough to handle. He caught it in stride and powered through to score. If they don’t make that two point conversion, who knows what happens? I realize you can say that about 15 or 16 plays in that game, but that was consummate James White for me.
 

normstalls

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I'm not sure of any other member of the Patriots (or any other team really) who had BY FAR his best game ever in the championship game of his sport. Malcolm Butler had a more impactful single play, but White was a beast that entire game.

Lynn Swann or John Stallworth, Doug Williams, maybe a couple others, when you start to look at other franchises. (I don't know if the other sports could ever have as impactful a single game, due to the nature of multi-game series championships.)
Timmy Smith was the first name that came to my mind.

And thanks for the memories James White. You were a blast to watch and root for.
 

DJnVa

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Probably the best in the line of effective third-down backs the Patriots have had over the years; which is saying something when you consider the success of Faulk, Dion Lewis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen and others.

Wouldn't be shocked to see him in Tampa.
Maybe, but his announcement says that playing his entire career for one franchise is an honor.
 

BaseballJones

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Oct 1, 2015
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Loved rooting for this guy. Class act, great player, did everything they needed him to do.

I suppose on the field this is good news for Strong, right? Will be fun watching this guy light it up because he's blazing fast.

But James White....great career, had a ton of huge moments for this team.
 

Euclis20

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Probably the best in the line of effective third-down backs the Patriots have had over the years; which is saying something when you consider the success of Faulk, Dion Lewis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen and others.

Wouldn't be shocked to see him in Tampa.
My first reaction was that Faulk was better (and he did average over 40 receptions a year for a full decade, incredible for a running back) but nothing tops White's peak (almost 70 receptions and 600 yards and 5 receiving TDs per year from 2016-2019, plus his 59 catches, 506 yards and 8 total TDs in 12 playoff games). Another major piece of the dynasty gone. Thanks for the memories.
 

BigJimEd

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Thanks James. Like others, I'll miss watching him. Wish him good luck in his next chapter.
 

ilol@u

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Clutch dependable player. Nothing but great things to say about him.
3 rings - 4 Super Bowl appearances.

Also met him a few times in Foxboro while walking our dogs; very nice and humble person.
Enjoy retirement buddy.
 

Norm Siebern

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The consummate Patriot, the consummate professional. An absolute pleasure to watch on the field, and someone you were grateful that he represented your favorite team. All the best to him in all his endeavors as he looks forward to life after his plying career. Would love to see him associated with the team in some capacity. Congrats on your retirement! Thank you!
 

Ale Xander

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Oct 31, 2013
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I'm not sure of any other member of the Patriots (or any other team really) who had BY FAR his best game ever in the championship game of his sport. Malcolm Butler had a more impactful single play, but White was a beast that entire game.

Lynn Swann or John Stallworth, Doug Williams, maybe a couple others, when you start to look at other franchises. (I don't know if the other sports could ever have as impactful a single game, due to the nature of multi-game series championships.)
Timmy Smith
 

Jimbodandy

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Not at all surprised but still really bummed to get this news. Consummate pro, good man. Gotta be hard for him right now, but at least he packed a lot of great memories into those nine years. Best wishes for a fun retirement and getting to spend more time with the family.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I'm not sure of any other member of the Patriots (or any other team really) who had BY FAR his best game ever in the championship game of his sport. Malcolm Butler had a more impactful single play, but White was a beast that entire game.
It's even more impressive when you consider that he was definitely not the guy that they had prepared to feature in preparation. It was the Blount and Lewis show for pretty much the entire first half. Credit to Belichick and McDaniels for making the change with 2:00 left in the first half and getting some points on the last drive. Prior to that drive if you'd said, "James White is going to finish with the most receptions in Super Bowl history," I doubt many would have believed it. He was the key. It opened everything else up.
 

ernieshore

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It's been said already, but yes dependable -- he was someone you felt would always make the right play. There were many games when I would yell "Can we just get James White the f----ing ball a little more?!"
 

Mooch

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One of the most dependable running backs I've ever seen. Dude had more fumble recoveries than actual fumbles in his career.
 

joe dokes

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Did James White ever not make the catch on a third down?

serious question
Or, almost as importantly, did he ever not run for 12 yds. on 3rd and 20 so that the ensuing punt put the other team in significantly worse field position than 3rd and 20 otherwise would have led to. To me *those* are the plays that often backstopped the Patriots' successes. "Yeah, you stopped us. Still sucks for you, though."
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Did James White ever not make the catch on a third down?
So many of them behind the sticks too. He knew where the line was. It was almost like he could see the yellow television line in real time. So many times he'd catch the ball behind the sticks and you'd think there was no way the drive would keep going and there'd he be, squirming his way across the line. Seemed like he had crazy good body and spatial awareness. You see that in some of the plays from LI.
 

Harry Hooper

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So many of them behind the sticks too. He knew where the line was. It was almost like he could see the yellow television line in real time. So many times he'd catch the ball behind the sticks and you'd think there was no way the drive would keep going and there'd he be, squirming his way across the line. Seemed like he had crazy good body and spatial awareness. You see that in some of the plays from LI.

Yes, exactly.

Thank you, James!
 

Old Fart Tree

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He's the only guy in history who got to make a walkoff SB-winning TD (right?). That's like, what you dream of as a kid, no? They give me the ball, I score, game over, confetti.

Not a bad highlight to hold onto until you shuffle off this mortal coil.
 

Mystic Merlin

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He's the only guy in history who got to make a walkoff SB-winning TD (right?). That's like, what you dream of as a kid, no? They give me the ball, I score, game over, confetti.

Not a bad highlight to hold onto until you shuffle off this mortal coil.
Yep. Hasn’t been another sudden death/time expiring winning TD in a SB.