Former Buccaneers DE Steve White dies at 48 after battle with leukemia
Steve White, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end who found a second career as a respected football blogger, has died, the Buccaneers announced Wednesday. He was 48 years old.
White announced in April he had been fighting chronic lymphocytic leukemia for eight years and was receiving a bone marrow transplant.
Rest in peace, Steve White ???? pic.twitter.com/dawDGOr53a
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 31, 2022
Born in Memphis, White reached the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick in 1996 after a standout career at Tennessee. He played seven total seasons in the pros, six with Tampa Bay before a single year with the New York Jets.
White posted 119 total sacks in his career with 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Along the way, he earned the respect of his teammates and the surrounding community, as the Bucs said in their statement:
"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Steve White after his courageous battle with cancer. Steve was an impactful and respected member of the Buccaneers' vaunted defenses over six seasons and continued to connect with fans as part of the Tampa Bay community following his playing career. We extend our deepest condolences to Steve's family, friends and loved ones."
Per the Tampa Bay Times, White spent one season as an assistant coach at South Florida under head coach Jim Leavitt.
He would spend much more time in his retirement as a member of the media, mostly blogging for the website SB Nation, which also mourned his death Wednesday and advocated for the Be The Match bone marrow transplant registry. White was prolific with his analysis on both SB Nation and Twitter, where he accrued more than 17,000 followers.
His colleagues in both the NFL and the media had plenty of kind things to say about him as the news of his death spread:
#RIP to my road game roommate @sgw94. My condolences go out to his wife, children, family and friends. The memories, the fun, the conversations will never be forgotten. ????????
— Tyoka Jackson (@Tyknowsfootball) August 31, 2022
RIP Steve White #94 in your Program but #1 in Our hearts!! #SmartToughAndGreatMan#DLinepic.twitter.com/8XWISRONbA
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) August 31, 2022
Just heard my former teammate @sgw94 passed away. Condolences to his family and loved ones. Always had am encouraging word for me when I was a young player with the @Buccaneers
— shaun king (@realshaunking) August 31, 2022
I'm heartbroken that Steven White @sgw94 is gone. An incredible person all around. Working with him was truly a once in a lifetime privilege. He was a gift to everyone around him.
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) August 31, 2022
Steve White was one of the most brilliant dudes, y’all. I’m so goddamn sad.
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) August 31, 2022
steve was a good man. simplest, most succinct and most accurate way i could put it.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) August 31, 2022
and to answer many of your questions: he blocked you cuz he ain't take chances with the faintest possibility of stupid. i mean the faintest.
So sad seeing the news that @sgw94 has passed. He was always available to talk ball and did not suffer fools, something I truly admired. Deepest condolences to his family. RIP.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) August 31, 2022
Worked with Stephen, always enjoyed our time together, an incredibly easy guy to get along with, so sorry to hear this https://t.co/uwRysc6FZw
— Dan Rubenstein (@DanRubenstein) August 31, 2022