Mike White was a professional football player who played as a quarterback for several teams during his career. He began his career in college, playing for the University of Illinois, where he was a standout player and set several records.
After college, White was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Cowboys, but saw limited playing time behind starting quarterback Roger Staubach.
In 1978, White was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played for two seasons. He started several games for the Chiefs, but was eventually replaced by Steve Fuller.
White then signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1980. He played for the Eskimos for two seasons, leading the team to back-to-back Grey Cup championships in 1980 and 1981.
After his success in the CFL, White returned to the NFL in 1983, signing with the San Francisco 49ers. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, serving as a backup to Joe Montana.
White then signed with the Detroit Lions in 1985, where he played for three seasons. He started several games for the Lions, but was eventually replaced by Eric Hipple.
In 1988, White signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played for two seasons. He started several games for the Rams, but was eventually replaced by Jim Everett.
White's final season in the NFL was in 1990, when he played for the New York Jets. He served as a backup to Ken O'Brien and started one game for the Jets.
After his playing career, White went on to become a coach, working as an assistant coach for several college and NFL teams. He was the head coach at the University of California, Berkeley from 1992 to 1996, where he led the team to a 37-30-1 record.
Overall, Mike White had a solid career as a quarterback, playing for several teams in both the NFL and CFL. While he never became a star player, he was a reliable backup and occasional starter throughout his career. After retiring from playing, he went on to have a successful coaching career, leaving a lasting impact on the sport of football.
🏈