Tulsa World: White enjoys new role as mentor

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White enjoys new role as mentor

Former Sooner QB JasonWhite signals a touchdown against OSU during the 2003 Bedlam game. TULSA WORLD FILE

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 7/17/2008 2:32 AM
Last Modified: 7/17/2008 3:44 AM

Damaged knees ruined Jason White's opportunity to play in the National Football League, but injuries had no effect on his knowledge of the quarterback position.

The former University of Oklahoma quarterback, who won the 2003 Heisman Trophy and led the Sooners to the 2004 Big 12 title and a pair of BCS championship game appearances, provides one-on-one instruction to young players in the Oklahoma City area.

He will work with quarterbacks during an all-skills camp from 1-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Versus Athletic Training Facility, 1900-B N. Indianwood Ave. in Broken Arrow. The camp is open to players ages 6 to 14, regardless of position.

"I like to watch little guys learn the game and learn to throw the football correctly," White said. "I learned most of what I know from Josh Heupel (White's former Sooner teammate who now coaches OU quarterbacks).

"Josh was a great teacher for me, and now I like to help young guys learn better technique."

White left OU as the Sooners' career passing leader.

Now the 28-year-old is involved in retail management but says he might be open to becoming a coach.

"If I did it, it would be at the high school level. Definitely not at the college level," said White, who lives with his wife and two children in his hometown of Tuttle. "It would be a neat experience to be an influence in someone's life. I'd like to coach quarterbacks and maybe coordinate an offense."

Following 2005 tryouts with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans, White was forced to abandon his dream of playing pro football. He had sustained a major right-knee injury in 2001 and a left-knee ligament tear in 2002.

In spite of two diminished knees, White made 27 consecutive starts during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. OU had a 24-3 record during that span, with White completing 63 percent of his passes for 7,051 yards and 75 touchdowns. In addition to the Heisman, he won two Davey O'Brien Awards, a Maxwell Award and a Johnny Unitas Award.

Sooner coach Bob Stoops calls White "the all-time toughest player I've ever coached, played with or been around."

White says he still endures "a lot of pain and problems" with the right knee, which was injured during a 2001 victory over Alabama. He said he exercises daily, primarily weight lifting and swimming, and his weight is 225 pounds.

"I weigh exactly the same as my last year at OU," he said.

"If I sit and watch a movie for two hours, my right knee gets really stiff. It's not a pretty sight," White said. "For the most part, I'm at peace with not playing football anymore.

"I definitely miss my teammates and the games on Saturdays, but I don't miss the offseason work and the rehab and the two-a-days."

Bill Haisten, 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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Reality Check, (7/17/2008 12:46:35 PM)

Nice article, one clarification though: OU did not play Alabama in 2001. Jason's first knee injury was in the 2001 loss at Nebraska. The second injury happened in a 2002 home win against Alabama.

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