100 Days, 100 Detroit Lions: #84 William White
In today’s edition of 100 Days, 100 Detroit Lions, we pay tribute to a former Ohio State Buckeye and the best Lions’ safety of the Wayne Fontes’ era.
84. William White
Defensive Back. 1988-93 Detroit; 1994-96 Kansas City Chiefs; 1997-98 Atlanta Falcons
One of the most underrated players in Lion history, William White was the team’s fourth-round selection in the 1988 college draft. He would move into the starting lineup in 1989, capturing one interception, one sack, and returning a fumble for a score. In 1990 he would lead the team with five interceptions, returning them for 120 yards and a touchdown. White would tie for the Lion lead in interceptions again in 1992 with four picks.
While overshadowed during his Lion career by the flashier, heavy hitting, Bennie Blades, it was White who quarterbacked the Lion secondary, calling their defensive signals throughout most of his Detroit career. He would be traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on July 12, 1994 for a conditional draft choice. After three quality years with the Chiefs, White migrated to Atlanta in 1997 to play for the Falcons. As Atlanta’s starting strong safety in 1998, he helped the Falcons to a 14-2 record and a trip to the Super Bowl in his final NFL season.
