MORGANTOWN, WV — In a move set to thrill sports fans and Mountaineer faithful alike, Netflix has officially announced the premiere of its newest original sports documentary, The Underdog, chronicling the electrifying career of West Virginia University (WVU) football icon, Pat White. Set to debut this fall, the film promises a vivid, deeply personal look into one of college football’s most dynamic and underrated quarterbacks.
Directed by acclaimed documentarian Marcus Daniels (Fourth and Goal, Gridiron Legacy), The Underdog is a 90-minute journey through the heart of Appalachia, beginning in Daphne, Alabama, where a young Patrick White first stunned local crowds with his dual-sport prowess. The film then follows White’s path to Morgantown—a decision that shocked many recruiting analysts at the time, who expected the multi-talented athlete to choose a traditional SEC powerhouse. Instead, White chose WVU, a program hungry for national respect and a leader to guide them into the spotlight.
Through a mix of archival footage, behind-the-scenes interviews, and never-before-seen locker room tapes, The Underdog captures the highs and lows of White’s WVU career. The documentary highlights his breakout 2005 season, the unforgettable 2006 Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia, and the historic 2008 Fiesta Bowl triumph against Oklahoma—where White’s poise and playmaking shocked the college football world.
Teammates, coaches, and opponents—including former WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez, running back Steve Slaton, and Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton—lend insight into White’s leadership, unshakable confidence, and revolutionary playing style. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit calls White “the most exciting dual-threat quarterback of his era,” while NFL legend Michael Vick offers commentary on White’s impact on the evolution of the quarterback position.
But The Underdog is more than a highlight reel. It delves into White’s struggles with national perception, the challenges of carrying a program on his shoulders, and his post-collegiate journey through the NFL and professional baseball. The film’s emotional core focuses on White’s resilience—his ability to persevere despite being labeled “too small,” “too fragile,” or “too unconventional” for the pro game.
“I wasn’t playing to prove people wrong,” White says in one powerful scene. “I was playing to show what we could do in Morgantown.”
The film culminates in White’s return to WVU as a mentor and coach, reflecting on the legacy he built and the doors he opened for a new generation of athletic, mobile quarterbacks. As Netflix positions The Underdog alongside other inspirational sports stories like Quarterback and Last Chance U, early reviewers are already calling it a “must-watch for football fans and underdogs everywhere.”
The Underdog premieres exclusively on Netflix on September 14, with a special advance screening set for Milan Puskar Stadium. For West Virginians and football lovers alike, it’s more than a film—it’s a celebration of grit, heart, and the magic of believing in someone before the world does.
