Vancleave Native to Play in Super Bowl XLIX for Patriots
Dozens of players line the wall of fame at the Gulf Coast Football Fieldhouse. Sunday, one man will live out every player’s dream and take the field in Super Bowl XLIX. Jim Bloomfield, Head Coach for Vancleave High School, says, "Chris is just one of those kids that can make plays."
Three times a Bulldog, linebacker, White, started at Vancleave High, then played two years at Gulf Coast before finishing out his collegiate career at Mississippi State. While at M.G.C.C.C., White was part of the 2007 National Championship team and earned first-team All-American honors the following year. Steve Davis, Defensive Coordinator for M.G.C.C.C., says, "Really sweet and mild mannered most of the time, but when he got on the field, he just flipped the switch on and was absolutely a great player and as much fun to coach as anybody we’ve ever had."
Those who watched him grow into the athlete he is today say he was a pleasure to coach, always looking for ways to improve. Bloomfield also says, "His drive to never want to lose, he’s a winner. We could tell that when he was a player for us when he was 16 years old."
White was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 N.F.L. draft by the Buffalo Bills. Currently playing for the Patriots, White has spent the last four years as a special teams contributor in the N.F.L. Bloomfield also says, "Knowing Chris like we do, he’s very humble young man and he’s very proud to be from Vancleave. All the coaches here that are still here that coached him, we’re all proud of him."
White’s coaches tell News 25 he has not forgotten his roots. He still has a great relationship with them, visits when he comes home, and even spends some time in the weight room with aspiring players. Those at Vancleave High have one message for him going into Sunday’s game: "Good luck and go Pats!"
You can watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, February 1st, on WXXV NBC.
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