Stan White Jr. Follows In His Fathers Footsteps – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 31, 2002
by Adam Widman
OSU Athletics Communications
The phrase “like father, like son” is all too familiar to freshman linebacker Stan White Jr. He’s heard it since he started playing football and even more since national signing day in February. That was the day White Jr. decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and play football for the scarlet and gray.
Stan White Sr. played football for OSU under legendary head coach Woody Hayes and was a three-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes from 1969-71. He received All-Big Ten honors in 1971 before moving on to play professionally with the Baltimore Colts (1972-79), Detroit Lions (1980-82) and the Chicago Blitz (1983-84) of the United States Football League.
“I wanted him to explore everything and to make up his mind on his own,” White Sr. said. “He and I would always come down here to play golf and go to the football games so I’m sure I was influential in that way. It makes me feel proud that he chose Ohio State. This is where I always wanted him to go. But it was his decision in the end.”
Though White Sr. may have had an influence on his son’s decision, White Jr. insists that his father playing football at OSU had little to do with his decision to sign with the Buckeyes.
“Ohio State has always been my favorite school,” White Jr. said. “I have always loved the Buckeyes, but I didn’t want to choose Ohio State just because my dad played here. I wanted to make sure this was the right place for me. I’m sure he had an influence on how much I loved Ohio State, but in the end it had no bearing on my decision.”
White Jr. said Jim Tressel and the strong academics were the deciding factors during the recruiting process. White Jr. was accepted in the honors program at OSU and plans on entering the Max M. Fisher College of Business.
“Coach Tressel is a good man and does things the right way,” White Jr. said. “That’s what builds a good team in the long run.
“I guess some people might have higher expectations for me because my father played here, but I don’t really think about that. All I want to do is play to the best of my ability and see where it takes me.”
White Sr. has told his son to expect great competition and that you need to work hard each day.
“Every year there is new talent and all-americans coming in,” White Sr. said. “Whether he gets to play or is red-shirted is a win-win situation for him. He’ll either get to play early or get an extra year of learning experience. I’m going to be just as proud of him whether he gets to play early or not.”
White Sr. is equally proud of his son for what he has accomplished in the classroom and on the gridiron.
“I have always taught my kids that education comes first,” White Sr. said. “The chance of playing professional sports in this era is very minimal and you need a good education to fall back on.”
Day Two Quotes:
Brandon Mitchell
Fr., DB Atlanta, Ga. (Mays)
On the first two days of practice:
“I’ve learned a lot about the defense. College is a lot different than high school. We have to take in a lot of information and we really have to be aware. I go back to the dorms after practice and study our play books. It is a great learning experience for me. After three practices I feel good I am gaining a great relationship with the guys. I’m happy with my progress and the progress that the team is making.”
T.J. Downing
Fr., OL Canton, Ohio (GlenOak)
On the second day of practice:
“It is a lot of fun being out there with all of the guys. We are practicing and having fun. It is hot but we’re fighting through it. The speed of the game is a lot different than high school. It is a lot quicker. Everyone is just as strong and talented as you are. We are working on a lot of fundamentals and getting adapted to the college game. Practices are great and I am having a lot of fun and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“It is real important for us to cover the basics. Once the rest of the team reports there is going to be a lot more rotation.”
Doug Datish
Fr., OL Warren, Ohio (Howland)
On the fast pace of the practices:
“It will be fun to see how fast the team really is. I am sure that when the veterans get here the pace will really pick up.”
Jay Richardson
Fr., DE Dublin, Ohio (Scioto)
On the second day of practice:
“I am feeling a lot more at home today. I am starting to pick up on things and getting a rhythm for myself. Once the upperclassmen get here things are going to pick up a lot and it is going to be a much more higher tempo. I feel fine. I am a little sore here and there, but overall I feel great.”
Tyler Everett
Fr., DB Canton, Ohio (McKinley)
On the nickname of the defensive backs:
“Coach Tucker said the first day we came out and got into the huddle that he wanted us to play like the ‘killer bees’.”
On the second day of practice: “Right now I am trying to learn the system and then letting my athletic ability take over from there.”
On coach Tressel’s comments regarding Tyler’s speed: “It adds a little bit of pressure because sometimes there might be a day when I am not really into it and if I am sluggish then he (coach Tressel) is really going to get on me about that. But, it feels good to know that he is really paying attention to my hard work.”
